Balakrishna and Attendant Snake Charming

This is an extremely rare and unsual subject for reverse glass paintings. It shows Bala, or baby Krishna, along with an attendant, charming a snake. Thee is a snake coiled up behind Krishna, and the attendant is shown bent backward. Both Krishna and the attendant are seen playing the 'pungi' or 'been', a wind instrument used by snake charmers. Beautifully composed, this painting is from Thanjavur in South India.