The coronation of Rama by Sage Vasistha
A scene from the Ramayana, the Indian epic that follows Prince Rama's quest to rescue his beloved wife from the demon King Ravana
The coronation of Rama by Sage Vasistha (Early Nineteenth Century) by UnknownNational Museum - New Delhi
The artist sets the scene of the coronation of Rama, in the manner of depiction of the durbar of a king, making the gathering of the constellation of celestial figures seem like a mundane everyday occurrence.
On the left, depicted in attitudes of adoration, heavenly beings stand behind three seated sages, gazing at the seated couple Rama and Sita.
Conspicuous as the red-faced elephant on a skin-toned body is the God of Wisdom and Intellect Ganesha, standing in the centre of the crowd of Gods.
On his left stand four-headed Brahma, the God of Creation..
..and beyond, his father the God of Destruction, the God Shiva..
..his hair coiled up in a bun on top of his head..
..and wearing the earring worn by contemporary Kanphata yogis that the artist would have been familiar with.
..and wearing the earring worn by contemporary Kanphata yogis that the artist would have been familiar with.
An innocuous-looking snake playfully slithers about, coiled around his neck.
Standing in the second row are the celestial counterparts of Ram and Sita - the preserver God Vishnu, who is reincarnated in the form of Rama to destroy evil on the earth, and Lakshmi, who is the celestial form of the reincarnated Sita.
Lakshmi is sumptuously attired in a golden crown..
..and a red embroidered skirt.
..and a red embroidered skirt.
Vishnu is seated on top of the mighty celestial eagle Garuda..
..traditionally rendered in many styles of Indian miniature painting with a parrot-like beak.
The earthly courtiers stand in a lower plane marking their lower spiritual status.
As in a formal durbar of a king, they stand gazing ahead; not staring back at the celestial otherworldly gathering, but at Rama and Sita who seem to arrest their gaze.
The royals sit under a richly bejeweled gold canopy, and Rama’s forehead being anointed with the sacred tilak by his guru, Sage Vashishta.
Rama and Sita are depicted with the large meditative eyes that outwardly manifest their inner spirituality - this manner of depicting eyes is also reserved for the Jodhpur royalty.
Below, in the naubat khana - a canopied balcony - a group of musicians beat the naqqaras and play the naubat celebrating the joyous moment.
Outside the wall, crowds of men assemble with animals for a procession: a team of elephants and horses gather, waiting patiently for the ceremonies inside the palace to finish so as to commence a festive procession through the streets of the capital.
The artist shows a masterful restraint, setting off soft hues for the skin tones, with radiant flashes of colour that animate the painting. Bright color contrasts and exuberant patterning enliven the painted surfaces but yet do not diminish the sense of calm order.
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