A pictorial depiction of the Hindustani musical mode Vilaval.

In Hindustani classical music, there are no set compositions but modes or frameworks, called ragas, on which musicians build each performance. These ragas are associated with particular scales and distinct melodic structures, to be performed in different seasons and at different times of day. Traditionally there are six ‘male’ ragas each of which have five ‘female’ raginis, giving a typical ragamala (garland of ragas) 36 individual melodies. Each elicits a different rasa (‘essence’ or ‘mood’). This rasa is also expressed in the poetic lyrics which accompany the music and was captured by painters in ragamala paintings.

Vilaval Ragini is a morning melody associated with the Spring and Hindol Raga, intended to evoke a joyful mood.

The scene is set inside a palace and depicts a lady preparing to meet her lover. An attendant holds a mirror so that she can examine herself and fix her ear ornament. Another female attendant stands behind the bed holding a vessel.