Goda Raga

This is a page from a series of 32 paintings from a ragamala, or 'garland of ragas', in which musical modes are illustrated by various human types and activities.This scene is inscribed at the top in takri characters as goda raga, the 'son' of megha raga.

This exuberant set of paintings from the Pahari (Hill) region of north India uses a very distinctive colour scheme. This painting has a striking chocolate-brown background; others use a brilliant orange. The style of painting is very free and lively, and is typical of painting from some of the smaller states of the Punjab Hills. This set was attributed by W.G.Archer, who acquired it for the V&A, to Kulu, but other authorities have now suggested it was painted at Bahu, near Jammu.