Who painted Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set?

Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set was painted by Unknown in 1757.

Where can I see Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set?

Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set?

Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set is associated with Rajput painting.

Artwork

Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set

Unknown , 1757

Hindol Raga, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set is an unspecified painting by the Rajput painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1757 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Hindol Raga is a miniature from a Jaipur Ragamala series, illustrating a lyrical musical mode through a courtly garden scene.

About this work

Overview

Hindol Raga is a miniature from a Jaipur Ragamala series, illustrating a lyrical musical mode through a courtly garden scene. The composition centers on a woman in a yellow sari seated on a swing, gently propelled by a companion in red, while surrounding foliage, blossoms and distant figures create a tranquil atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The swing motif, common in Indian courtly iconography, symbolizes the playful, uplifting character of the Hindol raga. The presence of attendants, onlookers, and two white animals suggests a festive gathering, reinforcing the raga’s association with joy and celebration.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine brushwork on paper, the painting employs delicate lines and a restrained palette of greens, blues and vivid saffron tones. The intricate yellow banner at the top bears calligraphic script, typical of ragamala illustrations that pair visual narrative with musical notation.

History & Provenance

Part of a larger ragamala set produced in Jaipur, the work reflects the 18th‑century tradition of linking music and visual art in Indian courts. Comparable pieces by the same hand are held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, indicating the artist’s recognized skill and the work’s circulation among elite patrons.

Context

Ragamala paintings functioned as visual guides to Indian classical ragas, each image embodying the mood and seasonal associations of a specific mode. Hindol, associated with spring and exuberance, is here rendered through lush vegetation and bright clothing, aligning with the raga’s seasonal connotations.