PANNA, CENTRAL INDIA, CIRCA 1700-10

Two paintings from a closely related series, although slightly smaller in size, are in the Konrad Seitz Collection and attributed to Panna, circa 1700-10 (Konrad Seitz, Orchha, datia, Panna, Miniaturen von den rajputischen Hofen Bundelkhands 1580-1820, Koln, 2015, cat.52 and 53, pp.167-171). It includes an almost identical composition of Asavari Ragini, both in terms of composition and iconography. The female ascetic, her body covered in ash, is playing the flute, the sound of which attracts cobras and wild beasts. Ebeling notes that 'theory links the name to a tribe of jungle dwellers who were renowned for their specialization, snake charming' (Claus Ebeling, Ragamala Painting, Basel, 1973, c46, p.116).