Dipak Raga (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. The Dipak Raga is intended to evoke the mood of intimacy between two lovers. In this folio, the lovers are the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna and his consort, Radha. The artist places them in an architectural setting offering a cross-sectional view into their intimate life. Depictions of the Dipak raga typically incorporate some sort of fire imagery; here, the artist has painted candelabras lit with multiple wicks on either side of the couple. Legend associates Dipak raga with fire, as it is said that court singers started a fire in the Mughal emperor Akbar’s palace by performing the Dipak Raga against their better judgment. This folio belongs to a Ragamala or "Garland of Melodies" series produced in Malpura. The text in the top register of the folio in this series is written alternatively in gold and silver. The use of such precious materials might suggest elite patronage. The artist Jai Kisan completed the series in 1756 CE, as mentioned in the colophon on the reverse of the last folio (HAM 1963.74). Three other folios of the same series are in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections: 1963.73, 1963.74, 1969.174. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malpura School.