Asavari Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

The Asavari Ragini, is commonly represented by a female heroine (nayika) that charms snakes either through her dance or through her music. In this painting, the female figure sits cross-legged under a tree and plays a flute. Several cobras slither towards her. The trees bear peacocks and leaping monkeys. In the foreground, two tigers peer from the thick bush. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. This folio most likely belonged to an album of Ragamala or "Garland of Ragas" folios produced in Malwa. Sanskrit verses associated with the raga or the ragini depicted on the recto are written on the verso. Other folios from the same series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1972.346, 1972.347, 1973.156, 1973.157, 1973.158, 1973.173. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.