Raga Rama from a Ragamala series

Rama Raga belongs to the family of Dipak Raga and is the third son or raagputra of the Raga. 

Described as radiant and charming with lotus-like eyes, Rama Raga is portrayed as a warrior carrying a bow and arrow. 

In the Indian Classical musical system, a raga is distinguished as a distinct melodic structure, a musical motif, which is believed to have the ability to affect the mood and emotions of the audience.

Ragamalas are visual renditions of individual ragas, premised on belief that the contemplation of a raga has a visual imagery unique to its ‘sound form’ that can be accordingly picturised in the form of a person, as well as associated with the sound of the specific animal or the sound of some human or natural activity.

In an exquisitely rendered and brilliantly coloured garden under the canopy of lush emerald green trees, the personification of Raga Rama is depicted as holding a bow and arrow in one hand..

..and a flower in his other hand, in a manner of a courtly aesthete.

Emphasizing his courtly mannerisms, a woman companion in front of him offers him a paan (betel leaf)..

..while his other companion tugs..

..at his diaphanous stole.

The painter delights in the baroque bouquets of flowers rendered in dazzling rich jewel-like colours, as they jostle with each other in a burst of exuberance. 

The lush mango tree is embraced by a flowering kadamba tree, and little flowering shrubs intertwine its trunk.