Contemporizing Ragamala Paintings
The series of paintings urge the viewer to forge a connection with the nature,
with your own true selves while listening to the music or the sounds of nature.
with your own true selves while listening to the music or the sounds of nature.
During 16th century, kings of the regional courts in India asked their respected artisans to make art for the pleasure of women, as they were most of the time away conquering or defending the kingdoms. Listening to the musicians of court, artists interpreted the musical moods of ragas through lines and colors. Ragamala translates to ‘garland of ragas’. This beautiful form of Indian painting flourished between 16th and 19th century.
The series of paintings in this collection is an attempt to contemporize the feeling with which Indian artisans created such masterpieces traditionally. If you are reading this as an aesthete, find a piece of music in your libraries associating to the mood and your interpretation of the painting. To facilitate the path of rasa, these paintings combine symbolism, iconography and poetry. Looking closely, one can interpret, reason and feel the settings like time of the day or the season during which the particular raga is in act.
01) Raga Dipak - Traditional interpretation
This raga is supposed to possess miraculous power of invoking heat and light, in this case the fire of passion between two lovers
This raga is supposed to possess miraculous power of invoking heat and light, in this case the fire of passion between two lovers
02) Nayak Nayika
Shringara Rasa - Raga Dipak
Shringara Rasa - Raga Dipak
Shringara rasa is one of the nine rasas associated with erotic love and beauty. The patterns depict the aura as lovers indulge in dalliance.
03) Raga Shree - Traditional interpretation
Shree raga is personified as a beautiful young prince, fond of listening to music. Instead of a fort, the setting is of a regular 21st century room.
Dalliance
Lovers transcend into celestial selves at midnight. Visual adaptation in lines while listening to Pt. Dinkar Kaikini’s rendition of Dipak raga.
Lovers transcend into celestial selves at midnight. Visual adaptation in lines while listening to Pt. Dinkar Kaikini’s rendition of Dipak raga.
Ticking Eye
Abstract adaptation of Shree raga. Clock, with an eye and the recording is always ON. The aesthetically pleasing dots tell us that even in the times of intense fear, one can find beauty.
Abstract adaptation of Shree raga. Clock, with an eye and the recording is always ON. The aesthetically pleasing dots tell us that even in the times of intense fear, one can find beauty.
Sringara
The series is an abstract interpretation of the sentiment of love, eroticism and beauty in raga Dipak.
The series is an abstract interpretation of the sentiment of love, eroticism and beauty in raga Dipak.
These pictures were taken while exhibiting the Ragamala series at a Flea market in Bangalore. The idea is to evoke Indian aesthetes by providing artistic interventions.
