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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1931.19
Title
Lalita Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Other Titles
Series/Book Title: Ragamala
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
c. 1680
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Mewar
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216958

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Rajput Style, Mewar School
Dimensions
37.9 x 29.1 cm (14 15/16 x 11 7/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, William M. Prichard Fund
Accession Year
1931
Object Number
1931.19
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Lalita Ragini is a morning raga that is commonly depicted showing a sleeping woman and her lover, who is silently departing after a night of passion. Here, the woman is shown resting on her day bed, as one female attendant fans her and another approaches with a bowl. Her lover, mounted on a horse, looks back as he leaves. Three male attendants accompany him on foot.

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. Other paintings from the same series are 1931.16, 1931.17, 1931.18 and 1932.32. Rajput, Rajasthani, Mewar School.

Exhibition History

  • The Music Room, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/1984 - 11/11/1984
  • 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/15/2024 - 10/28/2024

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