The Ragamala, or garland of melodies, is a cycle of paintings each of which represents a specific musical mode associated with a time of day and a season. While the visual representations can vary greatly, often a certain degree of iconographic adherence can allow the raga to be identified. The present scene illustrates Kedara Ragini, representing a blue skinned ascetic listening to a visiting disciple.
The Sirohi school of painting had a vibrant painting atelier during the second half of the 17^th century under the patronage of Akheyraj II (r.1620-73) and his grandson, Bairisal (r.1676-97). In particular, it seems that Ragamala painting was of special interest. Most of the Sirohi paintings known today are from Ragamala sets and relate closely to scenes painted on the walls of the Sirohi palace, likely commissioned by Akheyraj II.
For others paintings from the same series, see K. Khandalavala and S. Doshi, A Collector's Dream: Indian Art in the Collections of Basant Kumar and Saraladevi Birla and the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 1987, p. 102-103, nos. 5.17 and 5.18. Another painting from this series sold at Christie's New York, 16 September 2008, lot 438.