Artwork
Bangali ragini
Bangali ragini is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This Ragamala painting, executed in opaque watercolour on paper, visually interprets the Bangali ragini, a specific musical mode.
This Ragamala painting, executed in opaque watercolour on paper, visually interprets the Bangali ragini, a specific musical mode. Contrary to the title's suggestion, the scene does not depict a solitary ascetic figure with a lion, but rather two women in vibrant attire on a raised platform, accompanied by a yellow tiger and a nearby boat on a river, set against a backdrop of a palace with arches and additional figures on a hill.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's subject appears to be a serene, intimate moment between two women, one holding a bird, within a royal setting. The inclusion of a calm yellow tiger and the absence of expected ascetic and lion elements from the Bangali ragini description suggest either a misattribution of the ragini or an unconventional interpretation. The scene conveys harmony and tranquility.
Technique & Style
The work showcases opaque watercolour techniques on paper, characterized by bold, vibrant colors (notably red, green, and the subjects' bright clothing), accented with gold. The composition balances multiple elements (figures, architecture, nature) in a flattened, ornate space, typical of traditional Indian miniature painting styles.
Context
Ragamala paintings, like this one, were part of a tradition in Indian art that visually represented musical modes (ragas and raginis), each associated with specific emotions, times of day, and narratives. This piece, with its palace setting and figures, may reflect the patronage of royal courts, common for such artworks.
History & Provenance
No specific historical or provenance details are provided for this painting, including its exact date, artist, or ownership history prior to its current location.
Legacy
The painting's legacy is intertwined with the broader appreciation of Ragamala paintings, which have influenced various aspects of Indian art and cultural heritage. For similar works and deeper insight into this tradition, the Victoria and Albert Museum is suggested as a resource.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
