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Seth-Malhara Ragini, Miniature Painting, Possibly Jaipur, Rajasthan, North-Western India, ca. 1820-1840.

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM.

 

Object Detail

 

Rāgamālā paintings are a unique art form that visually represent Indian classical music. The Jaipur School of Art, which thrived in the 18th century, is well-known for its special style of Rāgamālā paintings.

 

In Indian music, rāgas are the basic principles of music. A rāga is a way of arranging musical notes, called svaras, each with its own meaning. Malhara is intricately linked to the enchanting monsoon season and is classified under the principal rāga known as Megha. This exquisite miniature painting from Jaipur, titled Seth-Malhara Rāgiṇī, vividly illustrates the essence of this musical lineage.

 

The painting features a captivating canto rendered in Devanāgarī script, meticulously arranged in a structured numerical order. At the heart of this composition is a central seated figure, gracefully positioned beneath an intricately stylised tree canopy that adds to the serenity of the setting. This figure is attended by a second standing figure, while a third companion occupies a seated position, creating a balanced triangular arrangement that underscores a devotional or allegorical theme. The central figure radiates spiritual importance with a luminous halo, possibly representing a divine entity. Dressed in a vibrant yellow pītāmbara dhoti, he lacks the ash markings or matted locks typical of such figures, suggesting inspiration from a Rāgadhyāna of medieval texts. His attendant holds a fly-whisk, indicating reverence. Opposite him, a regal figure plays a vīṇā, characterised by its “gambir” tone, further establishing the hierarchical dynamic. A palace in the background hints at the prince’s royal origins and his spiritual journey, while a clear blue sky and an ice-blue river enhance the tranquil setting. A handwritten note on the back mentions “Sitā and Ram Chandra, the eighth incarnation of Viṣṇu,” but their absence in the painting raises questions about their connection to the artwork.

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Good Condition with minor wear.

 

Dimension

 

 

Literature Comparison

 

1.O.C. Gangoly, Ragas and Raginis: A Pictorial and Iconographic Study of Indian Musical Modes (Bombay: Nalanda Publications, 1935).

 

2.Klaus Ebeling, Ragamala Painting (Basel: Ravi Kumar, 1973).

 

3.University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ragamala: Sethmalar Ragini, Accession No. 1981/2.42, accessed July 31, 2025, https://umma.umich.edu/objects/ragamala-Sethmalar-ragini-1981-2-42.

 

4.UCLA Digital Library, Seth Malhara Ragini, Manuscript page from a Ragamala series, accessed July 31, 2025, https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/z1ps7t3z.

 

 

 

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