DrawingsIndian18th century

Nata Ragini, Preparatory Drawing for a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

18th century

Description

The Nata Ragini is commonly represented by a mounted soldier wielding a sword and confronting an enemy that is on foot. Typically, as depicted in this drawing, there is a slain soldier in the foreground. Here, the mounted solider holds his sword above his head as he gallops towards his opponent, who carriers a shield and a khanda, a type of sword native to India. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase used as the basis for improvisation. Interestingly, the musical mode for this ragini is feminine. While there are examples of this scene with a woman dressed as a warrior, more often, as we see here, it is a male figure. Such contradictions are common within the ragamala genre. Rajput, Rajasthani, Kota School.

Classification

Drawings

Medium

Ink and opaque white watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

18th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

23.2 x 15.3 cm (9 1/8 x 6 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.