A Lonely Woman among Deer (Todi Ragini)
Page from a dispersed ragamala (garland of musical modes) series
Artist/maker unknown, Indian
Geography:
Made in India, Asia
Possibly made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia
Possibly made in Telangana, India, Asia
Date:
c. 1725Medium:
Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver-colored paint on paperDimensions:
Image: 9 1/2 × 5 7/8 inches (24.1 × 14.9 cm) Sheet: 17 1/8 × 9 5/8 inches (43.5 × 24.4 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
1977-12-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Katharine Levin Farrell Fund, 1977
Made in India, Asia
Possibly made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia
Possibly made in Telangana, India, Asia
Date:
c. 1725Medium:
Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver-colored paint on paperDimensions:
Image: 9 1/2 × 5 7/8 inches (24.1 × 14.9 cm) Sheet: 17 1/8 × 9 5/8 inches (43.5 × 24.4 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1977-12-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Katharine Levin Farrell Fund, 1977
Explore the Collections
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.
