Desakar ragini

late 18th century

Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Desakar ragini , a pictorial rendering of the musical mode proceeding from the fifth and skyward-gazing head of Mahadao [Shiva], appropriate particularly to the rainy season, July and August. Krishna and Radha playing a game of pachisi. The couple are supported by gold brocade cushions, in the background are flowering trees, against a night sky shimmering with stars and the crescent moon. At the top is the title of the ragini.