Maharani Padma (Virpur State,450 - 520 A.D.), one of the loveliest women of her times. |
This portrait of Maharani Padma, erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Virpur in Central India, was once the pride of the renowned Virpur museum, before it was sold off to a wealthy art patron from Europe. An alluring woman, the Maharani also had a reputation for cruelty and fearlessness. My love affair with her began when I saw this portrait in a private art gallery in Switzerland. Smitten, I resolved to study her life. I made many journeys to Virpur, spent hours in the city museum, interviewed countless historians and mingled with the local populace, for whom Padma is no less than a creation of divine will. Unfortunately, not much documented information on her exists. Most of what we know is through the folktales handed down through the generations. Through painstaking research I compiled a biography of this fascinating woman. Her life is an amazing story of passion, jealousy and intrigue. I have loaded excerpts of some of her torrid love affairs and intrepid adventures on my portfolio. The easier way to access that is to simply click Padma's portrait below. There are handsome auto rewards as well for for reviewing her story. Image Copyrighted to Artas or Paul Antonescu
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