Magic of the monsoon
Monsoon has its own magic. After facing the hot winds of summers, the dust storms, the rains bring relief to the land which is parched and the life on it had almost gone dry. This season leads to different kinds of activities. People sing and dance in the rainy ambience.
Welcoming the rains
People collect the water of the first showers; the water is believed to be beneficial for beauty purposes. It is verdant all around. There are festivals associated with the monsoon. People pray for good rains; the swings are put up for play; the farmer hopes for a good harvest.
Ragas of the monsoon
The Indian musical modes, the Raga and Raginis depict various situations, seasons and emotions through paintings called Ragamala. The Raga Megha Malhar of the main Raga Megha is directly associated with the rains and has been well depicted in miniature paintings.
Rain in 'Ragamala'
The onslaught of the rainy season, after a hot summer, has inspired a family of at least 36 ragas classified as Raga Malhar. Raga Mian ki malhar and Des Malhar are related to the monsoon as well. 'Raga' and 'ragini' artworks depict the dark clouds of monsoon in the backdrop.
Monsoon moods
Monsoons can be ominous with thunder and lightning as well. The Nayikas (heroines in Indian literature) urge their beloved to not leave them alone during the monsoon.
The Salar Jung Museum Collection
The collection at the museum has interesting depictions of the season in its Ragamalas and few other miniatures which use it as a backdrop.
Let’s take a walk in the rainy cool ambience of this special season through these artworks!
Krishna and Radha on a swing (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Krishna and Radha on swing
Krishna and Radha on a swing, six gopis, the cowherd maidens are playing music. They are having mahawar, a lac dye in their hands. It is the rainy season and sarus cranes are flying across the sky, they are in a merry making mood, Raga Hindola, Kishangarh School, circa 1800.
Madhu madhavi ragini (1700/1700)Salar Jung Museum
Madhu-madhavi Ragini
Two women looking at peacocks on the branches of the tree; one lady is being pulled by the other. There is a tray with wine cup and flagon on the cot. The heroine is waiting for her beloved, it is the rainy season, she is trying to shoo away the peacocks, painted circa 1700.
Megha Malhar Raga (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Megha Malhar Raga
Megha Malhar Raga is depicted with Lord Krishna dancing with Radha along with lady musicians. The rain and clouds behind with green lush trees are prominent in this composition from Jodhpur, circa 1775.
Krishna and Radha at play (1800/1800)Salar Jung Museum
Radha-Krishna at play
Lord Krishna and Radha seen at play in this painting with six roundish cloud patches at the top. The space is verdant due to the rains, a perfect season of merry-making. Radha-Krishna are resplendent in their attire and accompaniments, painting from Mewar, circa 1800.
Lady on a swing (1800/1825)Salar Jung Museum
Lady on a swing
Painting showing a lady seated on a swing during monsoon time making merry with two other ladies standing on either side. The tree on the left is spread on their heads. The space is verdant and there is a cloudy sky behind, a Deccani painting from early 19th century.
Raga Megha Malhar (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Raga Megha malhar
Raga Megha Malhar; backdrop of the rainy season. Blue complexioned Lord Krishna with a veena in his left hand standing among gopis, the cowherd maidens. One of the gopis is playing mrudangam while another is playing on cymbals, from Mewar, dated to the 18th century.
Ragamala painting (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Ragamala painting
Winged parrot-god reminiscent of Lord Garuda is sitting on a platform in a kneeling position. Four ladies are creating music; a lady with cymbals, a lady is ringing a bell. Third lady is playing the flute, a fourth lady beating dholak, it is rainy season, painting from Malwa.
Lady playing veena (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Lady with a 'veena' - Malhar Raga
Painting showing a lady seated on a floral designed ornate yellow carpet, on a terrace playing a stringed instrument called veena. She seems of royal bearing and is wearing ornate headdress with some vessels kept before her, from Nasuda, Rajasthan, dated to 17th century.
Raga Megha Malhar (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Raga Megha Malhar
Painting representing Raga Megh Malhar. Lord Krishna dancing in landscape surrounded by four gopis, the cowherd maidens. One gopi on the right side holding a mridang and one on the left holding a stringed instrument, Rajput School, 19th century.
A seated Sufi (1900/1925)Salar Jung Museum
A seated Sufi
Water color miniature painting in Persian style with Persian couplet. A Sufi seated on a prayer carpet with his hands one above the other on the left thigh in meditation. Clouds in the background. Plain golden band around the painting. Gold spray in margin, early 20th century.
Raga Malhar (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Raga Malhar
Painting depicting Malhar Raga. A Yogini seated on a tiger skin with a prince seated in front of her and playing on a pungi (snake charmer's flute) in a jungle. An inscription in Hindi on the top, a Deccani painting from the 20th century.
Text and Curation : Soma Ghosh
Photography : M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance : Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special Thanks to Dr. A. Nagender Reddy, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References –
1. Uberoi, C. (2015), The melodies of monsoons: Weather in Indian classical music, Eos, 96,
doi:10.1029/2015EO038523. Published on 5 November 2015. (accessed on 20.05.2023 via
https://eos.org/opinions/the-melodies-of-monsoons-weather-in-indian-classical-music)
2. https://www.wqxr.org/story/162199-stormy-weather-strikes-chord-with-composers/
(accessed 20.05.2023)
3. Gangoly, O. C (1935) Ragas & Raginis: A Pictorial & Iconographic Study of Indian Musical
Modes in 2 vols, Calcutta: Clive Press.
