A pictorial depiction of the Hindustani musical mode Gunakali.

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.

Gunakali Ragini is a morning melody associated with the winter and Malkos Raga, intended to evoke a meditative, tranquil mood.

The illustration of Gunakali Ragini depicts a lady arranging flowers in anticipation of her lover's arrival. Her attendant stands behind with a flywhisk.