Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Painting

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

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The Rāmāyaṇa In Pahari Miniature Painting
bring Sita home to Ayodhya. Sita whose moods have cheered up again is seen in talk with the demoness, while in the palace Ravana is depicted seated in conference with his demon-advisors. (Valmiki VI, 32 end, 33 and 34). loc. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ross-Coomaraswamy collection, no.
17.2748.
publ. a. Coomaraswamy 1926, no. XX on pl. XII, description on p. 80.
b. Khandalavala 1958, no. 59, description on p. 127-128. c. Archer 1973, vol. I, mentioned on p. 147 (GULER). ill. 28
9. After Rāvana's order to start the battle, the demon-warriors immediately storm out of the palace, forming one point of agitation in an otherwise quiet. and calm surrounding like the simply white palace walls and the ordered rows of monkeys around Rama and his advisors. The narrow line of sky with dramatically curled clouds in deep colours indicate the disastrous events in the near future. (Välmiki VI, 29).
loc. British Museum, London. Stein-box II, no. 1955-10-8-078, French collection.
publ. a. The art of India and Pakistan, Exhibition catalogue of the Royal Academy of Arts, London 1947-48, cat. no. 530 (exh. no. 670).
b. shown in the special exhibition on 'Pahari Painting' in British Museum, London, in spring 1975.
according to Archer 1973, vol. I, Guler p. 147 also:
c. Gangoly 1926, pl. 15.
d. French, J. 1931, Himalayan Art, col. frontispiece.
e. French, J. 1950, Guler Art, in: Art and Letter, mentioned on p. 33 ill. 29
10. The battle has started and Rama is camping with his army in front of the palace of Lanka. While Rāma still takes advice of his closest friends, some of the bears and monkeys virtually break out of their rows in excitement of the near battle and start exploring the field, they hide in trees, break branches, they jump and run around. (Valmiki VI, 39). Although this picture is unfinished and only partly coloured the liveliness in the movements and expression of
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