Kedar Ragini: Folio from a ragamala series (Garland of Musical Modes) 1680 - 1705

This folio, "Kedar Ragini," was created by the artist Ruknuddin around 1690, using opaque watercolor on paper. Notice the fineness of the lines, and how the artist built up the forms with delicate layers of pigment. The painting’s material properties lend it a particular subtlety. The process of creating such a painting was highly refined. Ruknuddin would have used a squirrel-hair brush, and painstakingly applied thin washes of color, one after the other, to create a luminous effect. The work demanded not only a steady hand, but also an understanding of the symbolic language of color. This world wasn't just painted, it was constructed. The making process involves the labour and skill of the artist, and this imbues the final artwork with cultural meaning and significance. Ultimately, appreciating works like this means recognizing the intimate connection between material, making, and cultural context, breaking down conventional separations between art and craft.