- Title
- Vibhasa Ragini, Fourth Wife of Megha Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies)
- Date Made
- circa 1660-1675
- Medium
- Opaque watercolor, gold, and traces of ink on paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 8 x 5 7/8 in. (20.32 x 14.92 cm); Image: 7 x 5 3/8 in. (17.78 x 13.65 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.71.1.41
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
Vibhasa Ragini is the fourth wife of Megha Raga in the predominant ragamala (garland of melodies) classification system generally known as the Rajasthani system. It is a sensual melody associated with the dawn.
In this painting, the melody is envisioned as a pair of lovers embracing in a pavilion bedchamber who are disturbed at the crack of dawn by a crowing cock. The hero uses a flower-studded bow to aim a lotus arrow at the intruding rooster to try and prevent the coming of the dawn. Beside the bed are four golden vessels (left to right): betel box (pandan), wine or water flask (surahi), footed bowl, and spittoon (ugaldan). The effaced inscription in the header once described the couple’s amorous dalliance. See also M.79.252.6.
A comparable Vibhasa Ragini, attributed to Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, circa 1640-1650, is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (17.2382).
- Selected Bibliography
- Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
