Ragini Gujari: Ragamala Painting

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Ragamala (mala or garland of Ragas) paintings, also known as a Ragachitra (a Chitra or pictorial representation of Raga) are a tradition of paintings that bloomed in the medieval period, in courts and corridors of the Indian royals. A raga or musical note is believed to represent and stir a particular mood or emotion in the listener's mind, ranging from divine devotion to seething love. Each Raga is related to certain Raginis (the feminine form of musical notes) who are addressed as the wives of the Raga, and Ragaputra (son or Putra of Raga) who are the manifestations of the modes through which a Raga is performed on a musical instrument.  A raga is also associated with a time of the day, a phase of romance, and the emotions or Rasa that consequently emerge. The seventh-century text “Brihaddeshi” describes the Raga as having the ability “to tint the soul of the listener”, a facility best displayed in the lively Ragachitra or Ragamala painting.

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Item Code: HJ87
Artist: Kailash Raj
Specifications:
Water Color on PaperArtist: Kailash Raj
Dimensions 6" X 8"
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade

Nestled in the lap of nature, the subject of this Ragamala watercolor on canvas by Kailash Raj is Ragini Gujari. The mood of the heroine (nayika) in this Ragamala painting is called- “Vipralabdha sringara” (love or sringara which has been denied a chance of expression, resulting in a gloominess of the heart).


In pain and distress, Ragini Gujari often walks out of her palace, and into the forest, where she gives voice to her emotions by singing and playing Veena (lute). Under the shade of a tree that is embraced by a flowering creeper, sits Ragini Gujari, brimming with the sweetness of love. She is wearing a yellow lehenga, orange chunri, and pink choli, along with pearl and gemmed ornaments. Like the flower-laden creeper which is full of beauty but droops under the weight of its hopeful blossoming, Ragini Gujari's head sinks as she broodingly strings the Veena.  Hearing the heart-wrenching tunes of the Ragini, a pair of deer has come to visit the origin of the tunes, looking innocently at the distressed beauty. A grey-colored stream flows in the foreground of the painting whose melancholy shade complements the muted orange of the sky and dark green of the ground. Contemplating the condition of her heart Ragini Gujari is surprised by her faunal visitors. What a beautiful pair they make! But alas, the loveliness of the deer pair once again reminds the Khandita nayika (forlorn heroine) Gujari of how she is hurt in love, and the stringing of the lute continues!


Bordered by a dark floral outline, the Ragamala painting of Ragini Gujari is infused with the delicate emotions of a maiden’s heart in love, a moving piece of art that can instantaneously bring an antique and intense character to any space.

 

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