In this episode, Aidan Young describes a vibrant painting of the mahasiddhas Kamala, Suvarnadvipa, and Viraya, who are three of the 84 great mahasiddhas. Then Jay Gandhi inspires us to embrace spontaneity and subtle emotions, as he shares a musical offering from Alep, the opening section of the raga Desh.
Three Mahasiddhas, Kamala, Suvarnadvipa, Viraya; Tibet; ca. 17th century; Pigments on cloth; 61 7/8 × 32 3/8 × 1/2 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2004.14.2
Vajrasattva; Central Tibet; 13th century; Copper alloy with gold and blue pigment; 13 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 5 7/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Dr. David Nalin; C2009.13
Vajravarahi; Bhutan, possibly Punakha Dzong; Mid-19th century; Pigments on cloth; 51 3/8 × 33 3/4 × 1 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2009.18
Mountain God Amnye Cha Kyung; Eastern Tibet; 18th century; Pigments on cloth; 13 1/4 × 8 1/4 in. (estimated); Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.8
Namkhai Nyingpo (8th-9th century) Performing a Long-Life Ritual; Kham Province, Eastern Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; 49 1/4 × 35 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.20
Brooklyn Raga Massive is an artist collective dedicated to creating cross-cultural understanding through the lens of Indian classical and raga inspired music. Praised by the Wall Street Journal for “expanding the notion of what raga—the immersive, epic form of Indian music—can mean” and dubbed the “leaders of the raga renaissance” by the New Yorker, the fun-loving members of the Brooklyn Raga Massive collective have made huge waves for “preserving the past while blurring genres in an inventive spirit” (New York Times). Brooklyn Raga Massive is dedicated to education, engaging in workshops, in-school programs, private teaching, and various community activities to share their love for music.
Aidan Young was formerly the assistant manager of digital engagement at the Rubin Museum.
Get a close look at a vibrant painting of the mahasiddhas Kamala, Suvarnadvipa, and Viraya, who are three of the 84 great mahasiddhas
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