Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Painting

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

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The Rāmāyaṇa In Pahari Miniature Painting
loc. : Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ross-Coomaraswamy collection, no. 17.2746. publ. : a. Coomaraswamy 1926, no. XVIII on pl. XI. description on p. 79 (no. 17.2745 and 17.2746 are exchanged). b. Coomaraswamy 1927, no. 266, description on p. 275. c. Archer 1952, fig. 11 d. Rowland, B. 1959, no, 132, description on p. 193. e. Archer 1973, vol. II, GULER 9 (i) ill. 23.
4. Vibhișana brings the two intruding enemies in front of Rāma and awaits
strict and heavy punishment of the spies. But Rāma, greatheartedly, orders to let them free giving them a warning message for their King Rāvana, saying that he will be completely destroyed, if he does not return Sitā. Again, a sequence of three scenes is being illustrated in this miniature. As next, Sarana and Suka are seen entering the palace of Lankā, as they are showing their backsides. Afterwards they give a report of their undertaking with Rāma's message to Rāvana, who is seated on the terrace of his palace. Being impressed by Rāma's kindness, the spies end their report with the advice to save their own lives and give back what Rāma is asking for. The frightful expression on their faces with wide-open and sound eyes would indicate their fear in this situation. In this picture an attempt is made to depict space on two-dimensional plain : the high surrounding wall does not prevent the view into the inner courtyard, where the two demons are just entering the palace. The device for this is the sharp angle within the wall, rendered completely different as for example in picture no. 3. (Vālmiki VI. 25 end) loc. : The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rogers Fund, 1919. no. 19.24. 1. not published elsewhere.
ill. 24.
5. As many miniatures of this series, this picture is divided into two halves
depicting different scenes. In the left side Rāvana is seen seated in an inner room of his palace, the right side depicts the Asoka grove. Sitā is seen seated
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