Raagmala Paintings

Raagmala is a popular theme used in traditional paintings in North India. These paintings depict the different moods invoked by the notes in Hindustani music (classical music of North India). Gemstone paintings usually use this particular theme. The soft and translucent shades of these paintings bring forth the melody associated with the music.

There are 6 basic ragas (musical modes) with five ragini’s (female modes) in the Hindustani classical music. Each mode depicting a certain expression has a particular time of the day associated with it for its recital. Each Raagmala painting depicts a particular ‘raga’. Musicians often refer to these paintings to improve upon their performance.