Artwork

Shahr-Arai and her husband adopt her lover as a brother in the family, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fortieth Night

Shahr-Arai and her husband adopt her lover as a brother in the family, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fortieth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This Mughal painting depicts a scene from the *Tuti-nama* (Tales of a Parrot), illustrating a moment of clever deception.

About this work

The wife has tricked her husband into accepting her lover as a brother—without him ever realizing the truth.

You see a small painting of three people sitting on the floor in a richly decorated room. A woman and her husband offer food to a young man, who bows his head.

This scene comes from a story in the *Tuti-nama*, a book of parrot tales written for Emperor Akbar. The wife has tricked her husband into accepting her lover as a brother—without him ever realizing the truth. The bright colors and fine details show how Mughal artists told stories in pictures.

To see more paintings like this, look up Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

Overview

This Mughal painting depicts a scene from the *Tuti-nama* (Tales of a Parrot), illustrating a moment of clever deception. Three figures are shown seated in an opulently decorated interior: Shahr-Arai, her husband, and her lover, who has been adopted as a 'brother' into the family.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the culmination of Shahr-Arai's ruse, where she successfully convinces her husband to welcome her lover as a sibling. The image conveys the acceptance and harmony within the unconventional household, with the husband remaining oblivious to the true nature of their relationship.

Technique & Style

Executed with bright colors and meticulous detail, the painting exemplifies the narrative prowess of Mughal art under Emperor Akbar's patronage. The intricate setting and the expressive postures of the characters underscore the storytelling ability of Mughal miniature painting.

History & Provenance

Created during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605), this work is part of an illustrated *Tuti-nama*, a collection of tales originally written for the emperor. The specific provenance of this painting is not detailed here, but it reflects the cultural and artistic flourishing of the Mughal court.

Context

The *Tuti-nama* was among the literary projects sponsored by Akbar, aiming to promote cultural harmony and intellectual curiosity. This painting, with its themes of cunning and domestic harmony, reflects the complex, often humorous narratives found within the collection.