Who painted Mangala Raga?

Mangala Raga was painted by Unknown in 1700.

Where can I see Mangala Raga?

Mangala Raga is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Mangala Raga?

Mangala Raga is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Mangala Raga

Unknown , 1700

Mangala Raga is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This opaque watercolor on paper belongs to the Ragamala tradition, visualising the Indian musical mode known as Mangala Raga. The composition centres on a princely figure seated on a patterned rug within a dark‑red interior, flanked by two attendants. The work combines vivid orange and white tones with a muted background, creating a striking contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a prince dressed in a striped white‑and‑yellow robe, an orange turban crowned with a feather, and a coordinating belt. Beside him stands a woman in a long orange garment, holding his hand, while a second courtier remains upright. The scene embodies the auspicious and harmonious qualities associated with the Mangala Raga, linking visual and musical expression.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolor, the artist employs a limited palette of bright oranges, whites and subtle earth tones against a deep red backdrop. Delicate facial features and fine jewellery are rendered with precise brushwork, while the patterned cushion and simple sky suggest a restrained yet decorative approach typical of Ragamala miniatures.

Context

Ragamala paintings originated in the 16th‑century Indian subcontinent as visual representations of musical modes, often used for devotional or instructional purposes. This piece reflects that tradition, integrating textual elements in an unidentified script that form part of the overall iconography.

History & Provenance

The work’s ownership history is not recorded in the available data. Its material and stylistic characteristics place it within the broader corpus of South Asian miniature painting, likely produced for a courtly patron familiar with the Mangala Raga.