Glow of Hope, also known as the Woman with the Lamp, is a masterpiece created by S. L. Haldankar in 1945–46. This watercolour depicts his daughter, Gita Haldankar, dressed in a traditional lavender saree, shielding a burning candle with her hand.  The painting is globally renowned for its technical brilliance in transparent watercolours—a medium that allows no corrections. Haldankar’s mastery is evident in the realistic play of light, showing the soft glow illuminating Gita’s face and the translucent effect on her fingers. Today, it remains a star attraction at the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore.
Sawlaram Lakshman Haldankar (1882–1968) was a prominent Indian artist renowned for his mastery of watercolours and oils. Trained at the Sir J. J. School of Art, he excelled in realistic portraiture and landscapes. His most iconic work, Glow of Hope (or Woman with the Lamp), depicts his daughter Gita and is celebrated for its exquisite handling of light; it is permanently housed at the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore. Haldankar co-founded the Art Society of India in 1918 and received numerous awards, including the Governor’s Prize, for his contributions to Indian art.