J.37,1-36 Thirty-six paintings comprising a ‘ragamala’ series, arranged according to a Special system. Hyderabad, c.1760. Richard Johnson Collection. ...
Scope & Content:
J.37,1-36 Thirty-six paintings comprising a ‘ragamala’ series, arranged according to a Special system. Hyderabad, c.1760. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Gouache with gold; set within borders of pink paper with the edges ruled in gold (now enclosed within modern card guards). 2...
Bangali Ragini. The ‘ragini’ figure crouches in worship before a shrine to Siva with a lioness lying behind her beside a burning candle. She is in a courtyard overlooked by a balcony. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.CVI, fig.D. Note: Other Hyderabad sets supply this subject with the title...
Gujari Ragini. Krishna intercepts a girl carrying a pot upon her head as she is about to leave the courtyard through an open door. The window alcove has cushions laid out and there are goldfish in a fountain pool. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.CVIII, fig.E.
Bhairava Raga. Bhairava dressed in a yellow ‘dhoti’ and green mantle is rubbed with sandal paste by his consort. Two girl musicians play a ‘tambur’ and drum and one of two attendant maids prepares sandal paste in the foreground under a full moon in a cloudy sky. Reproduced: Stchoukine (1929),...
Lalita Ragini. A prince holding two garlands walks down steps into a garden, leaving his lady sleeping on a bed under a crescent moon. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.XXXVI, fig.A.
Gunakali Ragini. The ‘nayika’ sits outside a building holding a lotus flower waiting while her attendant approaches with two other lotus blooms. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.LVI, fig.B.
Megha Raga. Krishna holding a lotus flower, dances on a terrace in the rain accompanied by five girl musicians. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.LXXIX, fig.A.
Sorath Ragini. A girl holding a ‘tambur’ stands in a moonlit landscape surrounded by peacocks; in the distance on the right is a town. Reproduced: Gangoly (1935), II, pl.LXVII, fig.B. Note: The equivalent subject in related Deccani series is often identified as ‘‘Sohni’Ragini.’