Children`s Trail

Children’s
Trail
The paintings in these rooms are called
ragamalas. These tiny, and colourful
paintings tell wonderful stories based
on music. They show Hindu Gods,
beautiful women, exotic animals and
wise holy men.
This is an instrument called a Vina.
Let its musical notes carry you on
a journey around India…
1
R AJ ASTHAN
Can you find Rajasthan
on the map of India?
ragamala paintings from Rajasthan often show
women and holy men in beautiful landscapes,
surrounded by animals and plants.
Find the painting
Deshakhya Ragini
of Hindola Raga
In the next room find the painting called
Gauri Ragini of Shri Raga
Who do you think the men in the picture are?
What do you think they are doing?
This woman is holding ‘wishing-tree flowers’
in her hands. What do you think she is wishing for?
There is an object called a Wrestler’s Weight near
this painting. On the scale below draw how heavy
you think this object is?
Animals feature in many
ragamala paintings
As you go through the exhibition try to find all the
animals mentioned below:
Light Peacocks
Bull
Find the painting
Deshavaradi Ragini
of Bhairava Raga
Leopard
Cranes
Very Heavy
Deer
Monkeys
Two women are sitting in a beautiful palace, they
are wearing long pearls and richly coloured clothes.
These men are acrobats who used to lift these heavy
objects and swing on poles like circus performers!
Draw your own acrobats doing
fantastic tricks on this pole
How many different colours can you spot in their
clothes?
Do you think these clothes are cheap or expensive?
Look at the women’s faces, do you think they are
happy or sad?
✐
2
3
PAH ARI
We are now moving
from the deserts and
mountains of Rajasthan
towards Himachal
Pradesh, can you find
it on the map?
Find the painting Varvala Ragaputra of
Malkosh Raga
What do you think the two characters are saying
to each other?
Write their conversation in speech bubbles below!
Did you know that
yellow paint in this
picture was made from
the urine of cows who
had been living on a
diet of mango leaves?!
Find these insects in a painting
near by called Kamala Ragaputra
of Dipak Raga
The bees are trying to eat the nectar
from the pink lotus flowers around
the man’s head so that they can
make honey!
Look carefully at the picture. Can you
imagine the smell of the flowers and
taste the honey?
In the space below draw your
own insects.
✐
4
5
DE CCA N
We are now moving
south on the map
to the Deccan region.
Jewels
A plate of
grapes
Go to the painting
Kakubha Ragini of
Megha Raga.
Look at the painting Gauda Ragaputra of Shri Raga
Can you find this painting?
The people in the painting are giving offerings to
the Hindu god Vishnu.
can you see his Vina? Can you imagine the
sound that would come out of this instrument?
Can you circle the objects they have given him?
Watch out for the false answers below.
Draw your own musical note below which
shows the sound that comes out of the Vina.
A necklace of
flowers
A dish of
pomegranates
Golden cups
and bowls
Shells
How many different types of animal can you see in
this picture?
Did you notice that there is at least two of every
type of bird in the painting, but the woman is all
alone. How do you think she might be feeling?
✐
Congratulations!
You have come to the
end of the exhibition!
Clue: She is looking out of the
picture, she wants somebody
to come and join her
6
All the people in these paintings are wearing clothes
made of colourful silks decorated with intricate
patterns. They are wearing scarves, saris, jewels
and turbans. Turn over to design your own Indian
clothing inspired by the pictures in this exhibition.
To get started you might want to go back
to paintings you have already seen and pick
your favourite.
7
Competition!
In association with the South
London Press
My family in miniature
Be inspired by Dulwich Picture
Gallery’s exhibition of Indian
miniature paintings and create
your own brightly coloured
miniature artwork. My Family
In Minature invites you to
photograph, paint or draw your
own miniature artwork depicting
your family and loved ones –
anyone and everyone from your
great aunt to your favourite pet!
Cover: Lalita Ragaputra of Bhairava Raga, Pahari, Chamba,
c. 1690 –1700, Gouache on paper. P4: Varvala Ragaputra of
Malkosh Raga, Pahari, Nurpur, c. 1690, Gouache on paper.
P5: Kamala Ragaputra of Dipak Raga, Pahari, Chamba, c.
1690 –1700, Gouache on paper. P6: Kakubha Ragini of Megha
Raga, Hyderabad, c. 1760, Gouache on paper. P7: Vinoda
Ragaputra of Hindola Raga, Northern Deccan, c. 1630 – 50,
Gouache on paper. All Claudio Moscatelli Collection. Photos:
Matthew Hollow Photography. Design: www.jadedesign.co.uk.
8
The winning entry from each
category (5 –10, 10 –16 and 16+)
will be chosen by Ian Dejardin, the
Gallery’s Director and displayed
during a Late Night viewing. The
winner will receive a free place on
one of the Gallery’s award winning
art courses and be featured in an
article in the South London Press.
Artworks must be of no more than
A5 size. Please email a photograph
or scan of your artwork with your
name, age and contact details
to competition@dulwichonview.
org.uk, all entries will be displayed
online at www.dulwichonview.
org.uk and will be entered into a
public vote.