‘Sohni Mahiwal’ painted by Ustad Allah Buksh in 1923 references the fabled Punjabi romance of these star-crossed lovers and is a prime example of indigenous subject matter rendered in the 20th century European painterly tradition then popular in the subcontinent. A distraught Mahiwal, dramatically perched at the edge of the river in the upper half of the picture, has the typical Allah Buksh characteristics of theatrical posture, poised hands and soft demeanour. The charming details of the surrounding atmosphere are influenced by British landscape painting and a drowning Sohni is reminiscent of Ophelia, a painting by British artist Sir John Everett Millais.

Concentrating on Hindu mythology, Punjabi folk culture, landscape and portraiture Allah Buksh’s paintings carried a soft romantic appeal. Apprenticed to a miniature master at the age of five, he progressed from signboard and carriage painting for Mughalpura Railway workshop to scenic backdrops for Agha Hasher Kashmiri’s theatrical company and stints as photographer, retouch artist, portrait and landscape painter at Bombay Studio. —S.A.