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Sindhu (Saindhava) Ragaputra of Shri Raga, from a Ragamala

Unknown

1685

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Baroque Mughal Painting Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Sindhu (Saindhava) Ragaputra of Shri Raga, from a Ragamala is a 1685 unspecified by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1685 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

A man in a red coat leaps onto a galloping horse, his scarf flying behind him. The horse’s mouth is open, as if calling out. Trees and hills fill the background in soft greens and blues. This painting comes from a *Ragamala*—a set of images that pair music with pictures. Each scene matches a type of song, like this one about a lover’s journey. The name *Sindhu* refers to a region now in Pakistan, tying the music to a real place. Look up *pahari kingdoms* to see more paintings like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The hero launches into the saddle with vigor, as he embarks on a journey to meet his lover. He has tucked one end of his coat into his sash, so it will not be in the way. The horse’s mouth opens in a whinny, aligning with a poem that forms the basis of this image. Once part of a large series in the Mandi royal library, it is now widely dispersed. The name refers to the coastal region of Sindh in present-day Pakistan. The scene evokes the music of Sindh, which is well known for expressing emotional anguish of separation.