(Other names: Chitralekhaa, Cheetralekha)

Chitralekha was the daughter of Ushmand, the minister of demon King Banasur. She was the best friend of Usha, daughter of Banasur.  Chitralekha, similar to her name, was an expert in drawing (Chitrakala). Once, Usha saw Aniruddha, grandson of Shree Krishna in her dreams and fell in love with him. Usha was engrossed thinking about Aniruddha. When Chitralekha asked her who she was thinking of, Usha revealed her mind and said that the man she dreamt of was very handsome. He was dark in colour, eyes like a leaf of lotus and with the Pitambar (yellow silk cloth) draped on his body she had fallen in love with him.

Chitralekha asked Usha if she could recognise him so that Chitralekha could bring him to her. According to Usha’s description, Chitralekha made sketches of Vasudev, Balram, Shree Krishna and Pradyumna. Then she made a sketch of Aniruddha and Usha recognised him immediately.

Chitralekha, with her Yogic power, reached Dwarka and picked up Aniruddha who was fast asleep and brought him to Banasur’s capital Shonitpur.

When Banasur got the news, he tied up Aniruddha with a Nagpash (a noose used to seize an enemy in battle). At this, there was a fight between Shri Krishna and Banasur. During the war, as Shri Krishna was about to kill Banasur, Lord Shiva manifested and advised Krishna to forgive Banasur as he was a devotee of Shiva.

Banasur got his daughter Usha married to Aniruddha. Krishna returned to Dwarka with his grandson Aniruddha and daughter-in-law Usha.

Chitralekha’s role is very important in bringing the love story of Usha and Aniruddha to a successful destination of marriage. That is why in the ancient love stories; Chitralekha is depicted as a sympathetic friend who helps the lovers meet.