Love Birds

We have used the term “lovebirds” to describe affectionate couples. It is referenced from the bird species that are known for being extremely caring toward one another. Scientifically, love bird is the common name of a small genus of parrot, Agapornis. This pair of parrots has a strong monogamous pair bonding and are social and affectionate and form long term relationships with other birds as well as people.

These parrots spend a lot of time sitting together and we often see the male offering the female food items. He offers her food until she is full and then will eat some himself. If they wander too far away from one another, they will vocalize and then one quickly returns to the other.

In Indian mythology the bird symbolizes conjugal fidelity. Legend has it that birds are reborn lovers who had committed the 'sin' of disturbing sages at their meditation in their former life. The sages cursed the lovers to turn into ducks. And worse, the pair had to separate after sundown and was, therefore, reduced to calling one another piteously through the night!

The lovebirds have always epitomized eternal love and there are many stories on them from all around the world. This particular story from Burhanpur, a small province in Madhya Pradesh, India, has historical proof and references. So the story goes; In the 16th century this city was gripped in a severe drought with no possibility of getting water anywhere. A seer had two lovebirds that fell in love while being kept in two different cages. Whoever came to the seer seeking water was never disappointed. When the drought happened, the ruler of the city also came to the seer seeking help. The seer promised to help the ruler and freed the birds so that they could guide him to a place having water. The story goes that the birds flew to the top of a mountain and sat on a particular spot which suddenly caved in to reveal a reservoir full of water. The birds could not be found immediately but later they were found dead, wrapped in each other’s wings. When they were brought to the seer, he said he knew that they preferred dying together rather than living in a cage separately but that he had released them for the sake of the city people. Records say that the ruler of the city got a grave built for them and later, when the seer died, his grave was built nearby.

My love birds are in a Madhubani style and painted on a wood plaque with acrylic colors and sealed with a clear semi gloss. It can be used as a trivet or small tray or a wall hanging.

Reference:

https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/brahminy-ducks-the-chakwa-chakwi-love-birds-of-india-20261.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/19535753.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppstnnm