Indian and Himalayan Art A Lonely Woman among Deer (Todi Ragini) Probably made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia c. 1725 Artist/maker unknown, India Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver-colored paint on paper Currently not on view 1977-12-1 Purchased with the Katharine Levin Farrell Fund, 1977 |
LabelPaintings 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. |
