Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Painting

Author(s): Jutta Jain
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 18

The Ramayana In Pahari Miniature Painting
Some rulers of Pahari hill states are shown in miniatures as worshippers of Rāma or Krsna. One miniature17 shows Raja Chattar Singh, son of Prithvi Singh, of Chamba (A. D. 1664-1690) with his attendent on his way to a Rāma shrine, Rāma and Sita are depicted in a small niche in the middle of the shrine, whereas Hanumāna worshipping the divine couple in añjali mudrā occupies a niche to the left. Miniatures depicting this new form of religiosity are quite common in Pahari miniature painting. They are not illustrative to any legend or story. They are devotional paintings for worship and they depict Rāma and Krsna respectively as deity and not as hero of any story. Miniatures of this kind show either the divine couple Rāma and Sitā being worshipped by Lakşmana, or Hanumāna and other mokeyleaders. Of similar religious importance are miniatures depicting Rāma as a glorious prince. There are many examples from Kulu, Mandi, Chamba and Mankot. One miniature from Kulu 18 dated A. D. 1720-1730 shows Rāma sitting on an impressive throne with his left foot on a ronnd carpet made of pinkish white lotus-petals and his right leg drawn upwards. Sitā is standing next to him and looking down on her husband in a devotional glance. Lakşmaņa in a yellow long dress is standing on the opposite side and holding cāmara, a fly whisk. In the following centuries this theme gained popularity all over the various schools of Pahari miniatures painting. These miniatuaes depict in a glorious way Rāma and his court, or Rāma returning home from the exile in the woods as yuvarāja, the crown-prince. In Kangra and Mandi especially this theme of miniature painting seemed to have been very popular in the 19th century. A miniature from Mandi 19 shows Rāma, with a shining halo, riding a horse and all his three brothers honouring him in añjali mudrā, while a hoard of monkeys and bears like Jambuvān are standing worshipful in front of Rāma.
These miniatures were not intended as illustrations to the Rāma-legend, but were meant for worship. Their significance is similar to that of an icon, basically a religious object of worship. Miniature series illustrating the Rāmāyaṇa, however were created only to some extent for a religious purpose. They also served as a means of instruction and entertainment to the onlookers. In traditional India miniatures were never displayed openly in a house or hall. They were kept concealed in wooden chests or boxes, wrapped in cloth. Only on special occasions they were disclosed and opened to the eyes of connoisseurs, when either the householder had
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