Lakshmana Hangs his Hunt on a Tree

The painting depicts a scene from the epic Ramayana, when Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, undergoes a long spell of exile for fourteen years. 

Accompanied by his younger step brother Lakshmana and Rama’s wife Sita, they proceed to live a life of ascetics in the forest.

In a deceivingly simple composition, the artist plays with broad fields of colour, but breaks their starkness by weaving softly in modulated shades - delicate waves and lines mark the surface of the rolling salmon pink hills, which are contrasted with mint greens that undulate into a plain patch where the figures sit.

The starkness of the broad cloud shape of the tree sheltering Rama and Sita, is softened by the wispy delicate leaves.

Exquisite birds perch upon its branches. In this dream-like world exist beings whose forms echo the otherworldliness of the landscape.

The figures are portrayed with sharp features and lotus-shaped, upswept eyes and slender proportioned, long limbs. Soft pastel hues and exquisitely mannered poses create a remarkable sense of ethereal elegance.

Sita is royally dressed in a brocade skirt chequered with a sprinkling of orange flowers, and a beautiful diaphanous odhni allows a glimpse of the jewels that she wears.

In contrast to her sumptuous attire, Rama and Lakshmana wear saffron attire of ascetics; the coarseness of their clothes is indicated by small and fine slanting lines.

 Their only ornament is that of garlands of flowers and..

..the intricately ornamented sheaths of the swords and katars that they wear, manifesting their status as warrior princes.

The figures are engaged in tasks that present them as an idealised family. The dutiful younger brother Lakshmana is engaged in the mundane and tedious task of procuring food, leaving his elder brother Rama free of such ordinary worries.

Rama sits staring ahead, his back arched, gaze straight ahead - his pose manifesting his resolute determination and courage, reiterating the descriptions of him in the epic.

Sita presents the artist's ideal of feminine grace and beauty, with her slender form, long lacquered fingers, and modest downward gaze she is engaged in weaving delicate garlands to adorn all three.

As Lakshmana hangs up his hunt..

..a flamboyant sky of vibrant reds and golds against duller blues announces the fading of the day.