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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1973.157
Title
Vibhasa Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
c. 1640-1660
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Central India, Malwa
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216281

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Malwa Style
Dimensions
sight: 22.2 x 15.1 cm (8 3/4 x 5 15/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Kenneth Galbraith
Accession Year
1973
Object Number
1973.157
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Vibhasa Ragini is commonly represented by a man firing an arrow at a rooster to stop it from crowing at dawn and awakening his lover. Here, the male figure aims his arrow at a large rooster on the right who is perched on a rock under a tree. His lover sits cross-legged beside him. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. This folio most likely belonged to an album of Ragamala or "Garland of Melodies" folios produced in Malwa. Sanskrit verses associated with the raga or the ragini depicted on the recto are written on the verso. Other folios from the same series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1972.346, 1972.347, 1973.156, 1973.158, 1973.173, 1973.174. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.

Exhibition History

  • The Music Room, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/1984 - 11/11/1984
  • Rasika, the Discerning Connoisseur: Indian Paintings from the John Kenneth Galbraith Collection, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/31/1998 - 04/05/1998

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu