Untitled

Around the 1890s, numerous printmaking studios were established in Calcutta, each working with different artists to produce images on the same theme. Among them, paintings of Sundaris (‘beautiful women’), sensual portrayals of courtesans, became popular. This image features Kumoda Sundari, engaged in preparing paan (sweetened betel-leaf), possibly for a babu, or customer. It was an essential part of their hospitality, derived from the practices of the famous tawaifs of Awadh, who were also adept at making these scented mouth fresheners during their soirees.