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

Nata Ragini is commonly represented by a furious battle in which a soldier on horseback severs the head of a soldier on foot and is about to confront another. Here, the soldier, riding a white horse, holds his sword in the air with his right hand, and a large black shield in his left. He approaches a soldier on foot who is about to fire an arrow at him. On the ground below the horse is a wounded soldier who holds up his sword. 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 Melodies" 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, 1973.157, 1973.158, 1973.173, 1973.174. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.