Ragamala (Garland of melodies) paintings are an Indian tradition of miniature painting designed to accompany poetic and musical musings. Frequently featuring couples in various states of embrace and separation, the lovers personify the moods induced by the changing seasons, while the scenery conveys the relevant time of day and season in which the raga is to be sung. Most paintings also demarcate the specific Hindu deities attached with the raga.

Lalit is a song, or raga, of the dawn. Early in the morning, as the woman rests after a night of love, her departing partner looks back to admire the beauty of her dress. The style of the couple’s clothing suggests the painter came from the border of Mewar and Malwa in central India. The garlands of flowers in his hand represents the happiness of their love.

The inscription indicates reference to Bihari Satsai, the Seven hundred verses of Bihari, a 17th century collection of couplets on devotion and morality by the poet Bihari.