Ragini Kedara, from a Garland of Musical Modes (Ragamala) manuscript Artist: Unknown

18th century

Asian Art

Ragini Kedara is a consort of Raga Shri and the last ragini in the musical system used by artists of ragamala paintings. Thus, Ragini Kedara would have been the image to complete the cycle. The depiction of a haloed figure seated on a terrace while listening to music played by his attendant supports this supposition. His rich clothing and bejeweled turban identify him as a nobleman, perhaps the patron of this album. Moreover, the act of listening to music in serenity on a floating marble pavilion seems to summarize the intent of the ragamala image cycle: we may read these visual renditions of melodies as a recital performed for this haloed figure, in which we partake as his viewing companions.

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions

Approx.: 17 1/2 × 11 3/4 in. (44.5 × 29.8 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Lauder Greenway, B.A. 1925, Ph.D. 1930

Accession Number

1940.12

Geography
Culture
Period

Mughal dynasty (1526–1857)

Classification
Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance

Provenance

Said to have been given by the Maharaja of Kishangarh to a British army officer for services in 1857; Imre Schwaiger (1868-1940), New Delhi, India; sold in India to Lauder Greenway (1904–1981), New York, 1938; given to the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn., 1940
Object copyright
Additional information

Object/Work type

figures (representations)

Inscriptions

Recto: راکنی کدارا\r\nVerso: راکنی کدارا

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF

Open in Mirador

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