Page from a Ragamala Series: Nata Ragini (Primary Title)
Unidentified (Artist)
Raginis, while regarded as female in a ragamala’s family structure, do not necessarily appear in paintings as women. Nata Ragini was originally represented by a female figure, but by the late 16th century had morphed into an image of three warriors, one standing, one on horseback, and one dead on the ground. This distinctive trio appears at the bottom of this picture, highlighted by streams of white petals rained down by winged figures high above in celestial boats. In the middle register, however, the combatants mounted on a horse and an elephant are clearly women, all of them lacking moustaches, and a long sari emerging from under the left figure’s coat of mail. The scene’s chaotic violence conveys the turmoil of lovers torn apart.
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