Todi Ragini, from a Ragamala Series

c. 1750–75
Gum tempera and gold on paper

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.orgPlan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

In the ragamala system, male ragas are "married" to female raginis. Todi Ragini is a "wife" of Hindola Raga, the name of a scene that features the male lover or lovers on a swing. Both Todi and Hindola are meant to explore the moods of springtime. Ragamala verses describe Todi as a woman with sharp eyes and a slim "extremely tender body, radiant as the frost" and smeared with saffron and camphor from Kashmir. She is said to "push back a deer from the edge of a forest glade."

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More like this

Kakubha RaginiKakubha RaginiPrincess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)Princess Smoking a Hookah (as Salabhanjika)A heroine waiting for her lover: Vasakasajja Nayika, from the "Nurpur" RasikapriyaA heroine waiting for her lover: Vasakasajja Nayika, from thKanhara Ragini: Song of Inspiration to Krishna for Killing the Elephant Demon, from the Ragamala SeriesKanhara Ragini: Song of Inspiration to Krishna for Killing tWomen Play Music for Radha and Krishna: Chitrini Nayika, from a RasikapriyaWomen Play Music for Radha and Krishna: Chitrini Nayika, froThe heroine who waits anxiously for her absent lover (Utka Nayika)The heroine who waits anxiously for her absent lover (Utka NGaudi RaginiGaudi RaginiArtworkTodi Ragini, from a Ragamala SeriesTodi Ragini, from a Ragamala SeriesWoman Feeding Deer: Todi Ragini, from a RagamalaWoman Feeding Deer: Todi Ragini, from a RagamalaThe Heroine Who Waits Anxiously for Her Absent Lover: Utka NayikaThe Heroine Who Waits Anxiously for Her Absent Lover: Utka NArtwork