Patal Ahiravan Vadh

This is a print depicting the episode of the death of Ahi Ravana - the brother of Ravana in the 15th century Bengali version of Valmiki Ramayana. In the narrative, he secretly kidnaps Rama and Lakshmana to his kingdom in the underworld who are then rescued by Hanuman. This print depicts the scene post the defeat of Ahi Ravana. A larger than life figure of Hanuman carries Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, while holding the head of Ahi Ravana with one hand. His other hand holds a sickle and he stands on the decapitated body of his victim. An unidentified figure hangs upside down on his tail. Another torso lies close to his feet , perhaps referring to the other demons that he defeated underground.