Halwai Confectioner by Solvyns
by Francois-Balthazar Solvyns (1760-1824)
Original coloured etching
from Les Hindous
Pub. Paris
Halwais confectioners, specialise in making a variety of sweets using a flour base, distinctive to North India, unlike the milk and sugar-based Bengali sweets prepared by Mayaras. Their name derives from “halwa,” a sweet made of flour, ghee, sugar, and often flavoured with cardamom and almonds, sometimes coloured with saffron and mixed with raisins or pistachio nuts. The confections are prepared through various methods, such as frying flour in ghee, boiling it in milk and sugar, or baking in earthen pans. Puddings, including those with grated vegetables like carrots, are popular, while delicate varieties use cream, demanding skill in preparation. Despite the Arabic origin of the term “halwa,” Halwais are Hindu Sudras, not Muslims, and they play a significant role in Hindu festivities and ceremonies, supplying sweetmeats for various occasions.
Frans Balthazar Solvyns, was a skilled engraver and painter hailing from Antwerp, embarked on a transformative journey to India in 1790. Settling in Calcutta, Solvyns immersed himself in the intricacies of Indian life, studying Hindi and forging relationships with Brahmins and pundits. Inspired by his surroundings, he commenced his ambitious project in 1791, aiming to depict the diverse facets of Indian society, from occupations to customs which he published in a series of engravings. Despite its sensitive portrayal, the venture encountered little success initially, prompting Solvyns’ departure from India in 1803. However, his legacy endured through subsequent publications, notably “The Costume of Hindoostan” and the expanded edition of “Les Hindous,” offering an intimate and detailed glimpse into 18th-century Indian life across professions, festivals, and daily rituals, immortalising a unique historical moment with both reverence and curiosity.
Image Size (cms): 35(H) x 24(W)
Image Size (inches): 14(H) x 9.5(W)
Mount Size (cms): 51(H) x 41(W)
Mount Size (inches): 20(H) x 16(W)
