Rakshasi - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Hanuman Location: Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple Theme: Ramayana Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This is the image of a rakshasi or demoness attacking Hanuman as he tries to cross the ocean onto Lanka. Like any other asura, she is green-skinned, huge, with large eyes and big mouth. She has her mouth wide open with fangs visible. Her hair is long and unadorned. She wears jwellery of different kinds. She is standing there in a mid-attacking position. There are mashipoov motif in the background.

Iconography

Iconographic Form: Rakshasa
Iconographic Attributes: Green-skinned; fangs; bulging eyes; open mouth; exposed teeth; hands in fists; ornaments; bare-breasted; long unkempt hair; mashippov motif in the backdrop.
Rasa: Bhayanaka

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 15
Adjacent Panels: Yashoda breastfeeding Krishna, Hanuman

Narrative

Textual Source: Ramayana
Mythological Tale: As Ravana kidnapped Sita and took her to Lanka, Ram and Lakshman went in search of her. They formed alliances with the vanaras and their king Sugreeva sent a troop of vanaras in search of Sita. Among them was Hanuman who possessed extraordinary powers. He attempted to cross Lanka by jumping across the ocean, but was met with many obstacles along the way. This rakshasi is one among those who stood in Hanuman’s path as an obstacle. A fight ensued between them, which ended with Hanuman’s victory. The lower garment of rakshasi seem to have similarities with the drape of lower garment of a Mohiniyattam dancer.
Episode: Kishkinda kandam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 1 out of 2

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 03/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: PVM_P016
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.