Todi Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
ManuscriptsIndian17th century

Todi Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

c. 1680

Description

The Todi Ragini, sung as an evocation of both tenderness and sadness, is visually represented by a young heroine (nayika) in a forest separated from her lover. In this painting, she carries a veena, most likely a ‘Rudra veena,’ which is a stringed instrument consisting of two large equal-sized tumba (resonators) below a stick zither. This instrument is played by laying it slanting with one gourd on a knee and the other above the shoulder. Her melodious tunes have attracted a bevy of deer, including blackbuck deer, which are a typical feature in representations of the Todi Ragini. In the distance is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, who is depicted seated on a tiger skin with a trident and serpent in his hands. From his matted hair emerges the river Ganges, signifying that the form of Shiva depicted here is the Gangadhara Shiva. A female devotee worships at the temple. The lush greenery and trees suggest the setting to be that of a forest. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation, possibly belonging to a Ragamala or “Garland of melodies” which was produced at the Mewar court in the late seventeenth century. Another painting from the same series is 1931.16, 1931.17, 1931.18, 1931.19 and 1932.32. Rajput, Rajasthani, Mewar School.

Classification
Manuscripts
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Culture
Indian
Century
17th century
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Department
Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

37.8 x 28.2 cm (14 7/8 x 11 1/8 in.)

Related Artworks

View More
Rustam Establishes Tus as Ruler of Jaj (painting recto; text verso of folio 144), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Rustam Establishes Tus as Ruler of Jaj (painting recto; text verso of folio 144), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Manuchihr Slays Tur (painting recto; text verso of folio 42), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Manuchihr Slays Tur (painting recto; text verso of folio 42), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Lalita Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Manuscripts
Lalita Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Unknown Artist, c. 1680

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Rajput Style, Mewar School

17th centuryIndian
Bahram and the Iranians find the Body of Forud (text recto; painting verso of folio 168), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Bahram and the Iranians find the Body of Forud (text recto; painting verso of folio 168), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Rustam Slays the White Elephant (painting recto; text verso of folio 63), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Rustam Slays the White Elephant (painting recto; text verso of folio 63), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Rustam Battles Afrasiyab (Catching Him in a Lasso) (text recto; painting verso of folio 74), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Rustam Battles Afrasiyab (Catching Him in a Lasso) (text recto; painting verso of folio 74), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Jamshid and the Daughter of Gurang, King of Zabulistan (text recto; painting verso of folio 21), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Jamshid and the Daughter of Gurang, King of Zabulistan (text recto; painting verso of folio 21), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Rustam Sleeps While Rakhsh Battles a Lion  (text recto; painting verso of folio 79), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Rustam Sleeps While Rakhsh Battles a Lion (text recto; painting verso of folio 79), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Faridun Captures Zahhak (painting recto; text verso of folio 32), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Faridun Captures Zahhak (painting recto; text verso of folio 32), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Saranga Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Manuscripts
Saranga Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Unknown Artist, c. 1680

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper.

17th centuryIndian
Court of Gayumars (text recto; painting verso of folio 15), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Manuscripts
Court of Gayumars (text recto; painting verso of folio 15), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian
Krishna Receives Homage from Indra (painting, recto), folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
Manuscripts
Krishna Receives Homage from Indra (painting, recto), folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
Unknown Artist, 17th century

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

17th centuryIndian
Todi Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series | Harvard Art Museums | KenAI