Vibhasa Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

Vibhasa Ragini is commonly represented by a man firing an arrow at a rooster to stop it from crowing at dawn and awaken his lover. Here, the male figure aims his arrow at a large rooster on the left who is perched on the ground. His lover sits beside him. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.