Who painted Pancham Raga?

Pancham Raga was painted by Unknown in 1625.

Where can I see Pancham Raga?

Pancham Raga is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Pancham Raga?

Pancham Raga is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Pancham Raga

Unknown , 1625

Pancham Raga is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a Ragamala painting dated to 1625, executed in opaque watercolour on paper.

About this work

Overview

The work is a Ragamala painting dated to 1625, executed in opaque watercolour on paper. It depicts the musical mode known as Pancham Raga and is part of a series that visualises Indian ragas as courtly scenes. The painting is currently in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre sits a male figure on a throne‑like seat, dressed in a yellow robe and crowned, surrounded by several women who hold objects or make gestures. Musicians and attendants populate the space, one presenting a glass of wine to the central figure, suggesting a scene of refined entertainment linked to the mood of the raga.

Technique & Style

The artist employed opaque watercolour pigments, allowing for vivid, saturated colours on a paper support. The composition is arranged within a spacious interior framed by a large arch, with a blue floor and white walls adorned with decorative patterns, creating a sense of depth and opulence typical of Mughal‑influenced court paintings.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the piece reflects the Indian tradition of pairing music with visual narrative. It entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains on display as an example of ragamala iconography.

Context

Ragamala paintings translate musical modes into visual allegories, often portraying courtly gatherings that embody the emotional character of each raga. Pancham Raga, associated with a particular tonal arrangement, is rendered here as a luxurious gathering, aligning with the aesthetic conventions of the period’s aristocratic culture.