Patamanjari Ragini, Fourth Wife of Bhairava
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | The painting is currently at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. |
| Location History: | The painting was created in Basohli in Jammu & Kashmir,India in 1780 and was later given to Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1986 as a gift from Paul F. Walter. |
Ranjha was Nainsukh's son from the Basohli School of Pahari. This painting of Ranjha belongs to the Ragmala Series where musical raginis and ragas are played. From the painting it appears that it is a fine autumn morning and the painting's name is derived from a Sanskrit term Prathma Manjri (first blossom). Patmanjari Ragini is seen as a woman from the court of a king sitting with another woman in the absence of a lover while the other woman tries to comfort her by singing ragas and playing a tanpura. The courtyard shows a strinking symmetry with a white pavilion at the centre with beautiful details like windows with bright orange shutters which is in contrast with the cool white wall. Behind the wall flowering trees with soft pink blossoms can be seen adding to the calm and musical atmosphere. At the front Patamanjari is seen sitting on richly embroidered cushions with a hand resting on her chin depicting sadness since her lover isn't around,opposite to her sits a companion who is trying to lighten her mood by playing instruments and singing ragas to her. Both the ladies can be seen wearing beautiful clothes with luxe embroidery on them and expensive jewels. A few small pots or vessels are also kept between the two ladies. The painting is beautiful combination of a rich,lush green landscape,deep devotion for her lover and music. This painting symbolizes viraha,the feeling of separation from one's lover in Indian literature.
