Who painted Bhairava Raga?

Bhairava Raga was painted by Unknown in 1770.

Where can I see Bhairava Raga?

Bhairava Raga is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Bhairava Raga?

Bhairava Raga is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Bhairava Raga

Unknown , 1770

Bhairava Raga is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1770, Bhairava Raga is an opaque watercolor on paper that forms part of a larger Ragamala collection. The composition presents a tranquil garden setting arranged on two levels, with a solitary, shirtless ascetic seated beneath a tree on a pavilion roof, while figures below engage in quiet ritual gestures.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a sadhu, an Indian ascetic, positioned near a modest shrine and surrounded by other devotees and fellow ascetics. Their postures—kneeling, pointing upward, and holding a fan—suggest a contemplative atmosphere, linking the visual narrative to the spiritual mood traditionally associated with the Bhairava raga in Indian classical music.

Technique & Style

Executed with opaque watercolor pigments applied to paper, the work displays a vivid palette and meticulous detailing that indicate hand‑crafted production, likely intended for inclusion in a manuscript or album. The layered composition, with a roofed pavilion above and a ground scene below, reflects the careful balance of natural and human elements characteristic of Ragamala imagery.

History & Provenance

Bhairava Raga belongs to a series that includes related pieces catalogued as IS.100‑1951 and IS.174‑1949. The painting entered the collection in 1951, purchased for the sum of ten pounds, ten shillings, and zero pence, marking its transition from a private or regional context to a museum setting.

Context

Ragamala paintings visually interpret musical modes, pairing each raga with a specific mood, season, or deity. This piece aligns with the Bhairava raga, traditionally associated with solemnity and devotion, and its garden setting mirrors the contemplative qualities that the music seeks to evoke.