Ragini Maru of Sri Raga
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | National Museum, Delhi |
| Location History: | The painting was originally commissioned by the Rajput rulers of the Mewar Kingdom. For generations, this painting—along with the rest of the Ragamala set—was preserved inside the private royal repository, palace libraries, or treasury of the Maharanas of Mewar. The painting officially changed hands from a private domain to public custody in the mid-20th century. The National Museum acquired the piece through the Art Purchase Committee, set up by the Indian Government. |
Sahibdin’s Maru Ragini (1628-1685) is without a doubt a masterpiece of the Mewar school of the Rajasthani painting tradition, which ideally combines the musical language of the Ragamala tradition and the love story of Dhola and Maru. Now, the artwork is stored at the National Museum of New Delhi and attracts visitors’ attention with its plot of royal couple that escaped on a luxuriously decorated camel across the horizon. The painting’s bright yellow, green, and dark blue background create a striking contrast to the portrayed event, whereas the clever arrangement of the camel, people, and a dog resting behind the couple add motion to the drawing. In general, the artwork is a remarkable example of the Rajasthani painting school that depicts the freedom of the loving couple with the help of traditional Rajasthani features and Mughal elements in the characters’ clothing. Moreover, it seems that the painter managed to go beyond the simple depiction of the beloved pair running towards each other through the forest and created a powerful composition with motion and music.