Bhairavi Ragini

This painting is a representation of a musical arrangement – rāga or rāgini – which is the basis for Indian classical music. The rāgini depicted here is Bhairavi, or the female form of Bhairava, an aspect of Shiva. Bharavi is commonly represented as a young heroine (nayika) worshipping at a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. In this painting, the female figure kneels in front of a lingam, the aniconic form of Shiva. A bull seated in the left corner represents Nandi, Shiva’s mount.