DESAKH RAGINI, WRESTLERS PERFORMING IN A LANDSCAPE, ORRCHA SCHOOL, CENTRAL INDIA, CIRCA 1770

Leaf from a Ragamala series, Desakh Ragini.
Gouache and gold on paper.
32 by 19 cm.

CATALOGUE NOTE
Ragamala paintings are inspired by a genre of poetry that assigned a specific form, mood and ambience to various musical modes. The paintings employ human characters to personify the ragas and along with various props and architectural compositions, convey the emotional state of the corresponding music and its poetic symbolism. These illustrations therefore form a bridge between music, poetry and painting. This particular Ragamala depicts pursuits of athletics prowess and strength, including wrestling (considered a noble activity in the Mughal era), as well as weightlifting and archery.