Mumbiram’s esoteric attraction to the people of the exotic Pulinda Tribes

In Mumbiram’s understanding of Bhagvat vaishnav philosophy, our ‘natural’ spontaneous aesthetic choices are clues to our lost forgotten original eternal relationship with the Supreme in his eternal spiritual abode (svaroopa).
Mumbiram was innately attracted to the exotic tribes of India and their unique beauty which is esoteric and appreciated by few souls who are spiritually advanced and aesthetically sophisticated. To others the tribals are either to be civilized or eliminated.

In Mumbiram’s vision tribals inhabiting the remote hills of India and living the pastoral simple life are already closer to God than so-called civilized urban populations. In Mumbiram’s painting they appear as Krishna’s cowherd associates in Krishna’s playful activities with inhabitants of Vrindavan.

Krishna in Vrindavan has his lady lovers from the cowherd families, the Gopis. But there are also women from other communities that happened to inhabit Vrindavan. Mumbiram’s attention goes to the women of the Pulinda tribes that are variously described as wild, mountain-dwelling, uncivilized, aboriginie, low-caste, wanton, lusty etc. Mumbiram has cited scriptural evidence that shows that Krishna accepted the spontaneously aroused love and attachment of these Pulinda women. What is more, in the market places of Mathura the Pulindis could introduce Krishna’s superexcellent personality to the Yadnya-patnis (wives of the Yadnik Brahmanas) who also developed attachment to Krishna and attained perfection.