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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.202.131
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Nata Ragini, Preparatory Drawing for a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/217653

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink and opaque white watercolor on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School
Dimensions
23.2 x 15.3 cm (9 1/8 x 6 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch
Accession Year
2009
Object Number
2009.202.131
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The Nata Ragini is commonly represented by a mounted soldier wielding a sword and confronting an enemy that is on foot. Typically, as depicted in this drawing, there is a slain soldier in the foreground. Here, the mounted solider holds his sword above his head as he gallops towards his opponent, who carriers a shield and a khanda, a type of sword native to India. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase used as the basis for improvisation. Interestingly, the musical mode for this ragini is feminine. While there are examples of this scene with a woman dressed as a warrior, more often, as we see here, it is a male figure. Such contradictions are common within the ragamala genre. Rajput Style, Kota School.

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