Pankajam Paulraj (1914-1979) Untitled (Lady playing the Veena) signed 'Pankajam PaulRaj' lower left; circa 1960s watercolour on paper laid on card, framed 26.2 x 36.9cm (10 5/16 x 14 1/2in). Footnotes: Provenance Property from a private collection, UK. This striking work, Untitled (Lady playing the Veena), belongs to a broader body of traditional Indian iconography. The motif of a woman playing the veena has been repeatedly interpreted and reinterpreted throughout Indian art history, appearing across a wide range of visual traditions. In Indian artistic representation, the image of a woman with a veena is most commonly associated with divine knowledge, artistic refinement, and the harmony of life. While it is most famously linked to the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the motif is also frequently used to depict mortal women of high culture, virtue, or royal status, symbolising their education, sophistication, and cultural attainment. In this work, Paulraj treats the subject through the influence of the Bengal School, employing a delicate wash technique that produces a soft, ethereal, and atmospheric background. This approach not only enhances the sense of depth but also reinforces the painting's quiet emotional tone. Set against this hazy backdrop, the combination of traditional Indian themes with elements of Western academic realism demonstrates the artist's refinement and technical control. Within this carefully balanced composition, the female figure is rendered in a pose of calm and serenity, becoming the focal point of the work's contemplative mood. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing