Venugopala and Sreerama sketch. - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Krishna Deity: Sreeraman Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

This section consists of sketches of two different images. One is Krishna as Venugopala playing a flute, and the other one is perhaps Sri Rama holding a bow and arrow. Krishna has a flute in his hand and his legs are crossed. His crown is not very much visible, but it is nevertheless ornately decorated. Sri Rama at the bottom of the panel appears with a crown on his forehead. He is aiming a bow and arrow towards the top right corner of the panel. There is also a demon-like figure at the bottom left corner of the panel.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna and Sreeraman
Secondary Figures: None
Iconographic Form: Krishna and Sreeraman (Vishnu's incarnations)
Iconographic Attributes: Krishna playing the flute, standing upright, cross legged, wearing a dhoti, crown with peacock feathers, flute to his lips, wearing ornaments, both his hands holding the flute, standing atop a pedestal, lotus shaped; figure of an archer, possibly Sri Rama, with a huge crown on his head. Both legs planted on the floor, wearing a lower garment, right hand holding the end of the arrow, left hand holding bow and tip of arrow.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Palace interior
Zone within Temple: Tripunitura Appan Room
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels: Poornathrayeeshan

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Krishna as Venugopala, or the one who plays the flute, is one of the most common depictions of Sri Krishna. In most depictions, he wears a yellow dhoti and holds a flute to his lips using both his hands. In this sketch also, he is holding the flute to his lips using both his hands, and as if he is playing the flute. He wears an ornate crown with feathers on it. Krishna's music is supposed to be attractive to the nature around him as well as the gopas, gopikas and the cows that he is in charge of. Sri Rama is known as a really good archer and he is shown holding the arrow and bow in his hands, aiming at something. There is also a figure of a rakshasa in the left of the panel, but that figure is incomplete.
Episode: Not Applicable

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Not Applicable
Deterioration Type: Other
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: ASI permission
Date of Documentation: 01/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: MCP_P024
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.