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Ravana comes in disguise with a begging bowl to abduct Sita

Unknown1600/1700

National Museum - New Delhi

National Museum - New Delhi
New Delhi , India

Painted against a yellow background, Ravana is shown as an ascetic holding a bowl and asking for alms from Sita. He has changed his appearance from his demonic form with ten faces and twenty hands to a normal human being. He wears a white costume with floral designs and an orange turban. His calm face with a Shaivite tilak further enhances his look as an ascetic. Sita stands at the door to give him alms. She has not crossed the boundary line that Lakshmana had drawn for her safety before he left. Sita wears colourful striped clothes. Her head is covered with her odhani. The figure of Sita is diminutive, as the much larger figure of Ravana towers over her. In the inner part of the cottage is a bed with a bolster, painted against a red background which is usually used in Malwa paintings for more intimate spaces.

The Malwa artist wanted to portray Ravana as a mendicant but has not been successful. He has instead, painted him like a royal personage. The depiction of a bed in the cottage is also inappropriate as they were in exile in a forest and did not have any such comforts. The artist is therefore depicting a scene in context of the time.

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  • Title: Ravana comes in disguise with a begging bowl to abduct Sita
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: 1600/1700
  • Location: National Museum, New Delhi
  • Location Created: Central India
  • Physical Dimensions: 17.5 x 25.5 cm
  • Subject Keywords: Ramayana, Sita, Ravana
  • Medium: Opaque watercolour on paper
  • Art Form: Malwa Style
  • Depicted Person: Ravana, Sita
  • Exhibition History: 2020 Ramayana exhibition in Kolkata
  • Accession Number: 51.65/28
National Museum - New Delhi

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