J.41,1-8 Eight pages of tracings taken from various sources. Commissioned by Richard Johnson, Lucknow, c.1780-82. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchas ...
Scope & Content:
J.41,1-8 Eight pages of tracings taken from various sources. Commissioned by Richard Johnson, Lucknow, c.1780-82. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Drawings, adjacent on single sheets; traces of pouncing indicate that the drawings were taken from ‘charbas.’
Dipaka Raga. A princely lover and his lady sit embracing under the canopy of a garden house. A candle burns on the terrace and lamps are placed round the edge of a pond. Inscriptions on reverse: (1) Persian: ‘rag dipak’; (2) Persian: ‘dipak’; (3) Hindi: ‘rag dipak chautha’; (4) Sanskrit verse...
Vilavali Ragini. A lady sits beneath a canopy in a garden adjusting her earring before a mirror held by a maid. Inscriptions on reverse: (1) Persian: ‘rag alhaiya’ an the time of day appropriate; (2) Persian: ‘vilaval’; (3) Hindi: ‘rag hindol ki ragini vilavali 1’; (4) Sanskrit verse (2 lines)...
Varari Ragini. A prince sits on a bed embracing his lady who waves a fly-whisk and turns away to pick a leaf from a pot of flowers behind her. Inscriptions on reverse: (1) Persian: ‘rag suha’ with the time of day appropriate; ‘barari’ written beneath; (2) Persian: ‘barari’; (3) Hindi: ‘rag bha...
Bhairava Raga. Siva stands by a shrine holding a trident and small drum while the Ganges flows from his knotted hair. Serpents entwine about his wrists and head. Inscriptions on reverse: (1) Persian: ‘awal rag bhairon’ and the time of day appropriate; (2) Persian: ‘bhairon’; (3) Hindi: ‘sri ra...
Vasanta Ragini. Krishna dances on a stool upon a garden terrace, holding his flute and a vase of flowers. Five girls accompany him with music. Inscriptions on reverse: (1 ) Persian: ‘basant’; (2) Persian: ‘basant’; (3) Hindi: ‘rag vasant’; (4) Sanskrit verse (2 lines); (5) Hindi verses by Har...
Malasri Ragini. A young girl is seated on a terrace before a garden contemplating a lotus flower which she holds. A pavilion is on the right beneath a gold sun.
Asavari Ragini. A blue-skinned maiden sits on a hillock of the Malaya hill luring serpents from the landscape around her. She holds a gold staff in one hand and a snake in the other.
Sri Raga. A young and gallant prince is enthroned on a terrace beneath a crimson awning, his arms and bow and arrow put aside. Four courtiers stand facing him while others are in attendance behind with ‘morchals’ and refreshments.