Ramayana

Green-skinned Rama holding a bow in his left hand. And a yellow-skinned Lakshmana is standing upright. There is also Shabari standing across from them. She is wearing a red and green striped dhoti, is green-skinned, holding a stick in her hand, with flames all over her body. Her headgear consists of peacock feathers. In the next scene, green-skinned Rama and yellow-skinned Lakshmana is sitting near Hanuman and Sugriva. Sugriva is golden-skinned. Rama is placing his right hand over Sugriva's right hand, as if making a promise. Rama is wearing a red upper garment, Lakshmana is wearing a green upper garment, and Sugriva is wearing a green upper garment. He has a face resembling a monkey and is red-colored. The rest of his body is golden colored. Behind him is white-skinned Hanuman with a red-colored face. Behind him is another Vanara whose features cannot be identified. In the next scene, a green-skinned Rama is holding a bow in his left hand and has shot an arrow through a series of yellow-colored palm trees. In the next scene, Bali and Sugriva are engaged in a fistfight. Bali is green-skinned with hands curled up in fists. Sugriva is yellow-skinned, whose hands are also curled up in fists. Both their faces are identical, red in color. Sugriva is wearing a green upper garment, while Bali is wearing a red upper garment. Sugriva is wearing a floral garland as well. Rama is standing behind a white tree. He is holding an arrow in his hand, in his visible hand. Lakshmana is standing behind Rama. He has an arrow in his hand. There are several Vanaras looking in on this scene. The final panel consists of a wounded Bali, green-skinned with red face and red upper garment, almost on the verge of death.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure
Sreeraman
Secondary Figures
Bali, Hanuman, Lakshmanan, Shabari, Sugrivan
Iconographic Form
Sreeraman (Vishnu's reincarnation)
Iconographic Attributes
A green-skinned Rama with a bow and arrow, and yellow-skinned Lakshmana meets a green-skinned Shabari at the banks of the river. Her body is covered in flames because she is attaining moksha. In the next scene, Rama and Sugriva are seen to be entering in a kind of pact, while Lakshmana, Hanuman, and another vanara looks on. In the next scene, Rama shows off his archery skills by shooting his arrow through seven palm trees. The next panel shows Bali and Sugriva, the brothers engaged in a battle, fist fight with each other. Bali is green-skinned, Sugriva is golden-skinned, but both have same facial features. Sugriva is seen as wearing a garland of flowers. Rama and Lakshmana stands behind them, hidden from plain sight behind a tree. Rama is aiming an arrow at Bali. Lakshmana stands behind him, holding an arrow in his hand. His other hand is not visible. There are several vanaras also witnessing the fight. In the final scene, Bali is slain by Rama's arrow. He is lying down on the floor.
Rasa
Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple
Palace interior
Zone within Temple
Ramayana Chamber
Position in Pradakshina Sequence
Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels
Ramayanam and Ramayanam

Narrative

Textual Source
Ramayana
Mythological Tale
In their search for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reaches the Pamba River Valley, where they meet Shabari. Shabari tests out different fruits and gives only the best one to Rama and Lakshmana. Moved by the devotion of Shabari, Rama blesses her and she attains moksha. They continue their journey and meet with Hanuman on the way. Hanuman leads them to Sugriva, and a pact is made between the two, where Sugriva agrees to help find Sita in return for Rama defeating his brother Bali. Sugriva's brother Bali has conquered the Vanara kingdom and also thrown Sugriva out of the land. So Rama agrees to help him. Since both of the Vanaras are identical, Rama asks Sugriva to wear a garland so that he could distinguish between the two. Rama then hides behind a tree and aims an arrow at Bali. He does this because Bali has a boon where he will acquire half the strength of his opponent standing before him. Rama pierces his arrow through Bali and kills him.
Episode
Kishkinda Kandam
Position within Narrative Sequence
5 out of 10

Condition & Documentation

Condition
Good
Deterioration Type
Pigment loss
Restoration Status
Partially restored
Documentation Type
DSLR full panel
Permission Basis
ASI permission
Date of Documentation
01/08/2024
Artist
Unknown
Identifier
MCP_P033
Rights / Notes
These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.