J.36,1-36 Thirty-six paintings comprising a ‘ragamala’ series, arranged according to Hanuman’s system. Murshidabad, c.1760. Richard Johnson Collection ...
Scope & Content:
J.36,1-36 Thirty-six paintings comprising a ‘ragamala’ series, arranged according to Hanuman’s system. Murshidabad, c.1760. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Each picture inscribed on reverse with verses of Harivallabha’s Hindi translation of the ‘Sangita-darpana.’ Gouache with g...
Karanata Ragini. Five courtiers holding spears acclaim Krishna who stands holding a sword and the severed tusk of a caparisoned elephant, which lies in the foreground. There are palace buildings on the left with diminutive figures.
Bhupali Ragini. The ‘nayika’ stands on a terrace at night holding a flower in one hand, attended by seven girls who carry covered dishes and other objects; a bed-chamber is on the right.
Malhari Ragini. The ‘nayika’ sits in a roof-pavilion playing a ‘vina’ as she remembers her absent lover. An empty courtyard is in the foreground with a border of white flowers at its edge; a pastoral landscape is in the distance with a river and boats.
Megha Raga. The crowned and garlanded Krishna stands holding a single flower in a landscape with trees in which are perched various birds; there is a stormy sky above, heralding the advent of rain.
Vasanta Ragini. Krishna stands under a blossoming tree in a landscape surrounded by girls who carry vases of flowers and musical instruments; a bed of flowers is arranged at Krishna’s feet.
Reverse: a page of floral panels with Harivallabha’s Hindi verses interspersed; the Persian identification is inscribed on a white flower in the centre.
Reverse: a page of floral panels with Harivallabha’s Hindi verses interspersed; the Persian identification is inscribed on a contorted leaf in the centre. Note: ‘Desakhya Ragini’ is normally depicted as male athletes. Harivallabha describes ‘Desakhya’ as a ‘raga,’ as denoted also in the Persia...
Reverse: a page of floral panels with Harivallabha’s Hindi verses interspersed; the Persian identification is inscribed on a yellow flower in the centre.