Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Painting

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

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The Rāmāyana In Pahari Miniature Painting
List of leaves belonging to 'Siege of Lanka' series : 1. Three subsequent scenes are seen in this miniature : a. Rāvana sends out his
emissary Suka (Śārdüla according to Coomaraswamy 1916) with the order to spy size, location and martial plans of Rāma's army, b. he is recognized and caught by the monkey and bear warriors, and c. after due discussion with his advisers Rāma releases the spy and sends him back to Rāvana (Vālmiki VI, 20 and 24) location : Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ross-Coomaraswamy Collection, no. 17.2745. published: a : Coomaraswamy, 1926, no. XVII on pl. X, description on p. 79
(but under no. 17.2745; no. 17.2746 and 17.2746 are exchanged). b. Archer 1952, no. 12 c. Khandalavala 1958, no. 58, description on p. 127-128. d. Archer 1973, vol. II, GULER, pl. 9 (ii) e. Coomaraswamy 1916, pl. 22 f. Beach M. C. 1965, fig. 4 according to Coomaraswamy 1926 : g. Museum of Fine Art Bulletin, no. 96, pl. LXXXI.
ill. 21
2. After the unsuccessful mission Rāvaņa sends out two of his spies with the
same order. In order not to be caught both approach Rāma's army in the disguise of monkeys. The monkeys building a tightly closed circle around Rāma and his advisors realize that strangers, who are actually not belonging to their own rows, are nearing and they look backward in repellent manner. (Vālmiki VI, 25). loc. : Cleveland Museum of Art. Property of George P. Bickford, Cleveland. publ. : Welch, S. C., A Flower from every meadow. New York 1973, pl. 41,
however, described as "Vibhisana joins Rāma's monkey and bear army' ill. 22
3. Vibhișana immediately recognized the two enemies in monkey-disguise, they
are revealed and captured by the monkeys and bears. (Vālmiki VI, 25, middle part).
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