M.V. Dhurandhar[signed]
c. 1905
13.95x
9.05cm
Lessons in Music was published around 1905, when Dhurandhar participated in the first Bombay Exhibition, the official medal which he designed and received a Gold Medal for, in addition to other awards. It was the first time the Exhibition was sponsored by the Indian National Congress party—which in turn led to rumours, unfounded, of a “boycott” by Europeans. The smug teacher is reclining with his sitar, as if not letting his student play. She is challenging him. They are too close for Indian comfort.