Ragamala (Garland of melodies) paintings are an Indian tradition of miniature painting designed to accompany poetic and musical musings. The scenery conveys the relevant time of day and season in which the raga is to be sung and most paintings also reference the Hindu deities associated with the raga.

The Kedar Raga is connected to the god Shiva via the ascetic, who demonstrates his devotion to Shiva through yoga and asceticism, including acts of fasting, sexual abstinence, self-impoverishment and isolation. Depicted here, the ascetic sits naked in lotus position on a tiger skin. His forehead is marked by a half moon of ash and ochre and he is attended by two women who have come to witness his religious devotion.