Ragamala painting flourished throughout the royal courts of India in the late 1400s and dwindled in the 1800s, with the decline of aristocratic patronage. This exhibition, which runs at The Dulwich Picture Gallery from 25th January until 27th May 2012, will unveil a rare collection of 24 exquisite miniatures from the Claudio Moscatelli Collection, in a journey across the Indian subcontinent. It is the first show in the UK to focus exclusively on the Ragamala ‘garland of ragas’ genre which is a set of miniature paintings depicting various musical modes, ragas, of Indian music. Each painting is accompanied by a brief caption or poem that describes the mood of the raga, most frequently devotion and love - in its various aspects.

Ragamala Paintings from India: A Symposium
Saturday 14 April
£30, £25 Friends, £20 Students

A lively debate to mark the opening of the exhibition, Ragamala Paintings from India: Poetry, Passion, Song. If Ragamala paintings are visual representations of musical modes, can a definite link be made to music? In this debate, chaired by Ainsley Cameron from the British Museum, leading scholars Anna Dallapiccola, honorary professor at the University of Edinburgh; Rosemary Crill, senior curator of Asian Art, Victoria & Albert Museum; and Catherine Glynn, independent curator, will introduce the topic and discuss the painting tradition. Contemporary artist Sandy Mallet, whose work is inspired by music, and Robert Skelton, renowned scholar on the visual arts of India, will also contribute.

Includes a visit to the exhibition and the permanent collection, morning coffee and a light lunch

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