Nestled in the lap of nature, the subject of this Ragamala watercolor on canvas by Kailash Raj is Ragini Gujari. The mood of the heroine (nayika) in this Ragamala painting is called- “Vipralabdha sringara” (love or sringara which has been denied a chance of expression, resulting in a gloominess of the heart).

In pain and distress, Ragini Gujari often walks out of her palace, and into the forest, where she gives voice to her emotions by singing and playing Veena (lute). Under the shade of a tree that is embraced by a flowering creeper, sits Ragini Gujari, brimming with the sweetness of love. She is wearing a yellow lehenga, orange chunri, and pink choli, along with pearl and gemmed ornaments.

Like the flower-laden creeper which is full of beauty but droops under the weight of its hopeful blossoming, Ragini Gujari's head sinks as she broodingly strings the Veena.  Hearing the heart-wrenching tunes of the Ragini, a pair of deer has come to visit the origin of the tunes, looking innocently at the distressed beauty.