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Indian and Himalayan Art

A Lonely Woman among Deer (Todi Ragini)
Page from a dispersed ragamala (garland of musical modes) series

Made in India, Asia
Probably made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia

c. 1725

Artist/maker unknown, India

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver-colored paint on paper
17 x 9 9/16 inches (43.2 x 24.3 cm)

* Gallery 227, Asian Art, second floor (Wood Gallery)

1977-12-1

Purchased with the Katharine Levin Farrell Fund, 1977

Label

Paintings using romantic imagery to simultaneously illustrate the modes of Indian music (ragas) and represent a variety of love relationships were produced in sets known as ragamalas, or ”garlands of ragas.” Todi Ragini personifies a musical mode that expresses the sentiment of a young woman passionately in love. Resting against her shoulder is her vina (lute), but only the playful deer can hear her sad, longing melody. The remoteness of the landscape, with its flat layers of metallic and cool colors, combines with the attentive animals to conjure a mood of tender longing.

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* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit.