law: Indian Contract Act, 1872 
  37. Obligations of parties to contracts
  The parties to a contract must either perform, or offer to
  
  perform, their respective promises, unless such performance is dispensed with or
  
  excused under the provisions of this Act, or of any other law.
  Promises bind the representatives of the promisor in case of the
  
  death of such promisors before performance, unless a contrary intention appears
  
  from the contract.
   Illustrations 
  (a) A promises to deliver goods to B on a certain day of payment
  
  of Rs. 1,000. A dies before that day. A's representatives are bound to deliver
  
  the goods to B, and B is bound to pay the Rs. 1,000 to A's representatives.
  (b) A promises to paint picture for B by a certain day, at a
  
  certain price. A dies before the day. The contract cannot be enforced either by
  
  A's representatives or by B.