2009 Antique Ramayan Hindu Art with Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman, Hanuman

Artwork depicting Scenes from the Ramayan 

The figures have been created very neatly with perfect registration (no coloring outside the lines).

Initially it was hard to tell whether this is a print or a hand-drawn artwork. In my search for answers I came across another similar artwork of the same category. After studying the details of both, it is seen that there are  significant differences in the chubbiness of the figures, the angles of the hands & legs,  the overlaps and the sizes of the faces. If blocks were used, the two would not have these differences. [unless a whole different set of blocks was used for each - which is tedious and inefficient especially since these are not repeated motifs].

It is highly likely therefore, that this is a hand-drawn Kalamkari work. The writing in the top panel is in Gujarati script so this is probably a predecessor of the fine kalamkari produced there even today. [The present-day works however are made with thicker nib pens while this artwork is with a much much finer nib pen. [In Indonesian batiks the pen took has a number associated with it that refers to the finesses - so a Cantik "0"  pen is the finest available]. 

Scene 1: The battlefield - with chariots of Ram & Ravan

Scene 2 (Bottom left): A Yagna or ceremonial ritual performed by Rishis and learned Sadhus for a specific purpose. Each yagna is designed to have a specific goal and has specific procedures. Likely to be the yagna at the start of the battle. 

Scene 3 (Bottom right): Probably the wedding ritual of Sita, seated in the "Doli" or palanquin.

Scene 4: Hanuman and his army of monkeys carrying back the mountain in search of the Sanjeevani herb.

Scene 5: Battleground casualties with body parts, heads, arms, legs strewn across the ground. 

Has signatures in Gujarati in two places in the top panel: Dayaram Harjeevan. This could either have been the artist or the patron. 

Has floral borders all around and was probably intended as a decorative piece and not as a worship or ceremonial textile. 

Fine commercial cloth base.

Attached to a backing that has been painted brown that matched the color of the frame in which the painting was when I found it.

This example is estimated to be from the late 1800s

Not in perfect condition. Has minor holes and signs of wear but is very well preserved because of the teak wood frame it had all these years. (now removed for easy transportation)

Illustrative image of the painting in a frame in the room is for visualisation purposes only - the size etc are not accurate. 

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IMPORTANT NOTE

This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily must be expected on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run, repairs and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.