One of the earliest Ragamala sets created for Rajput rulers was made in Chunar, near Benares, for the rulers of Bundi. The theme soon became very popular in Rajput courts and was found in manuscripts and on murals! The Ragamala was painted by artists trained in the imperial Mughal court, and incorporated high Mughal style with “Hindu” subject matter, that appealed to the Rajput patrons.

This folio depicts raga Deepak in a plush palace- the scene is set at night, with stars in the sky, and stylised lamps with long flames! The mood is romantic and the picture is incandescent!