1973.173: Bangali Ragini, Illustration from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1973.173

Title

Bangali Ragini, Illustration from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

Classification

Paintings

Work Type

painting

Date

c. 1640-1660

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India, Malwa

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/216327

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper; Malwa Style

Dimensions

26.8 x 18.7 cm (10 9/16 x 7 3/8 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Kenneth Galbraith

Accession Year

1973

Object Number

1973.173

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Bangali Ragini is commonly represented by an ascetic who sits in meditation within or beside a small shrine and holds prayer beads. In this painting, the young ascetic sits in a shrine holding his prayer beads in his right hand. Flanking the shrine’s large onion-shaped dome are two peacocks. In front of the shrine is a lotus-filled pond. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. Malwa Style.

Exhibition History

• The Music Room, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/1984 - 11/11/1984

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