Artwork Page for Sindhu Raga

Details / Information for Sindhu Raga

Sindhu Raga

c. 1720

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Mewar

Medium
Gum tempera and ink on paper
Measurements
Overall: 48.1 x 27.9 cm (18 15/16 x 11 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 2004.110
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Most of the warriors are on horseback and are armed with bows and arrows, swords, lances, and shields, as well as rifles. Two elephants appear in the foreground.

Description

The inscription at the top identifies this painting as Sindhu Raga, which is the raga (or musical mode) of heroic sentiment. The painting is meant to elicit the same feelings in the viewer as a rousing piece of music played in the Sindhu key.
Paintings of Sindhu Raga depict battle scenes. In this example, the composition conveys the chaotic melee and violence of war. Heads are being lopped off; carrion birds swoop down unfazed. Above the horizon against the sky at the far right is the god of war, Karttikeya, in his chariot. Three angels carry garlands for the dead.
A vertically oriented tempera and ink painting depicts numerous warriors with medium-dark skin tones clashing on horseback and elephants across a pale green field. In the upper center, winged figures and a chariot fly through a light blue sky beneath black Sanskrit script. Below, a dense melee of soldiers with swords and bows unfolds. A fallen black elephant lies at the bottom toward our left, framed by a yellow border and red margin.

Sindhu Raga

c. 1720

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Mewar

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