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Coverbild Ragamala
A two-page spread from a book with a minimalist design. The left page shows the table of contents with chapters on Ragamala. The right page features the start of the foreword, which discusses the relationship between visual art and music in the Indian Ragamala tradition, with the page number 5 at the bottom.
A two-page spread from a book about Hindola Raga. The left page has text and line art explaining the theme. The right page features a colorful Indian miniature painting depicting a king in yellow sitting on an ornate swing, playing a stringed instrument. He is surrounded by five female attendants in a palace courtyard under a dark, cloudy sky.
A page from a book about Bhairava Raga, showing text and line drawings on the left. On the right is a colorful Indian miniature painting of the deity Bhairava, an avatar of Shiva, seated on a throne in an ornate palace and being attended to by several women.
A book spread showing an analysis of an Indian painting titled Asavari Ragini. The right page displays the colorful painting of a dark-skinned yogini with peacock feathers walking through a wilderness filled with animals like deer, peacocks, and lions. She holds a stringed instrument as a large snake coils around her leg. To the left is a white building, and in the background, the god Shiva meditates on a mountain. The left page contains explanatory text and line drawings of details from the painting.
A book page analyzing an Indian painting titled Gambhira Raga. The painting on the right shows a boatman poling a small boat carrying a warrior and his veiled bride across a turbulent river. The left page features descriptive text and line drawings that break down the details of the artwork.
A page from a book featuring an Indian miniature painting titled Shri Raga. The painting depicts a prince in ornate red garments seated on an elaborate golden throne on a terrace, playing a vina. He is accompanied by three other musicians with stringed instruments. The scene is set at dusk, with a sunset sky, green trees, and a peacock in the background.
A title page with black text on a white background. In the top right corner is the name Sonika Soni. The main title in the center reads, What is Ragamala? Below this is the subtitle, An Introduction.
A page from a book analyzing the Indian miniature painting Dhanashri Ragini. On the left, text and line drawings explain elements of the artwork, such as the portrait, the empty bed, and gathering clouds. On the right is the full painting, showing two women on an ornate palace terrace. One woman paints a portrait of a man while her companion watches. A stormy sky looms in the background, reflecting the mood of longing and separation.
A two-page book spread analyzing an Indian painting titled Nat Ragini. The left page contains explanatory text and black-and-white line drawings of details. The right page displays the full-color painting, which depicts a warrior on foot with a shield and sword fighting a cavalryman. In the foreground, a decapitated body is scavenged by a jackal and a crow, set against a landscape with a tree and purple mountains under an evening sky.
A page from a book titled Kedara Ragini, showing an Indian miniature painting on the right and an analysis with text and line drawings on the left. The painting depicts a troubled warrior sitting on a terrace at night, listening to a long-haired yogi playing a stringed instrument in front of a red shrine under a starry sky.
A classical Indian painting of a figure in a yellow garment holding a rose beside a fountain in a lush garden, with the title Ragamala overlaid on the image.
Ragamala
Pictures for All the Senses
€ 54.00
VAT included. Shipping costs will be calculated at checkout
Author: Sonika Soni, Annette Bhagwati
English
September 2024, 76 Pages, 24 colored photos
Lay-Flat Binding with Flaps
242mm x 320mm
ISBN: 978-3-7757-5841-3

HATJE CANTZ VERLAG
Mommsenstr. 27
10629 Berlin
Germany
E-Mail: contact@hatjecantz.de


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Narrative miniatures
Ragamala are pictures that illustrate classical pieces of music and poetry. This book explains the origins and significance of these Indian miniature paintings which unite different genres in a unique way. It presents selected examples and makes music and poetry audible through QR codes. Music acquires a human form whose emotions are explained through tiny details: the call of birds, passing clouds, lightning, the scent of flowers, a hidden tear. This lavishly illustrated multimedia book provides a glimpse into the mysterious world of Indian music, poetry, and painting.

The MUSEUM RIETBERG in Zurich is one of Europe's leading museums for World Art and well known for its splendid collection of Asian art. In large temporary exhibitions it presents historical and contemporary masterpieces in the light of new perspectives.
EXHIBITION
Museum Rietberg, Zurich
September 20, 2024-January 19, 2025
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