The exhibition is dedicated to a popular theme in Indian painting that combines music and poetry: Ragamala are paintings that depict classical pieces of music (ragas) as people with different characters and emotions. The exhibition enables visitors to decipher the images using the accompanying music and poems and to experience the emotions. Every little detail in the picture refers to moments of happiness or sadness such as a hidden tear drop and can be experienced in the music.

The exhibition presents around 50 works of art from the museum's collection, which were created between the 17th and 19th centuries, as well as two commissioned works by two contemporary painters. This exhibition invites for the first time not only to look closely at the paintings, but also to listen to them and even smell them. Newly arranged musical compositions, perfumes and films allow visitors to immerse themselves in the sensual world of Ragamala.

The exhibition is the result of the Ragamala project, which was established in 2021 as part of the GBF research program for Indian art and artists at Museum Rietberg.