Sunday 27 April 2014

Ragani Todi

Ragani Todi


Fattu from a Ragamala series.
Kangra School. Late 18th century AD


          Besides painting the Bhagwat Puran series,  and the Bihari Sat Sai series, Fattu is said to have also  painted a Ragamala series. In this painting we find the familiar Fattu's images, a deep landscape,  flowering trees,  a flowing river, animals and birds. This work appears to be by Fattu.
         Classical Indian music is based on Raga system where each Raga is assigned certain notes in ascending and descending order. A combination of these notes improvised by the musician is supposed to create a certain mood. Each Raga or Ragani has to be played at a particular time of the day or night, or during a particular season.
          Ragani Todi is a melody which depicts the pangs of separation between lovers. Lost in the thoughts of her lover, the Nayika (heroine) plays the Vina--a stringed instrument.  Hearing the melodious music, the pair of black bucks are drawn towards the Nayika. A bird flies towards her mate sitting amongst the tree--symbolic of the fact that the lover would
come back to the Nayika.
            Like the Ragani the painting is lyrical and melodious.

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