Desakhya Ragini

ca. 1770

Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, depicting acrobats, including two wrestlers, a man jumping, one with a bow and one jumping. Acrobats were often tested under court supervision of their strength, agility and athletic prowess. A ragamala illustration to the musical mode Desakha Ragini. Ragamala paintings illustrate poetry, dealing with musical forms and instruct musicians on the mood and notes of a piece.