Untitled [Set of 2 prints on Ram Panchayatan]

a) Ram Panchayatan
Oleograph on paper
19.75 x 14.25 in (50.5 x 36.5 cm)

The work has a printed inscription on the lower centre stating that it was printed at The Ravi Varma - Press - Picture Depot

This is a shastraic or textual representation of the coronation of Ram. In the print entitled Ram Pattabhishek there are several other characters present like Vibhishna and Vashishta. However, this print from the Ravi Varma Press is derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma in which the visual representation is restricted to five elements. Ram and Sita are considered as one unit while Lakshman, Bharath, Shatrughan and Hanuman are one unit each. The number five is considered auspicious and all encompassing. Similar groups of five are found in the pancha-suktam (the five hymns) and pancha-devata (the five deities).

b) Shri Ram Panchayatan
Oleograph on paper
19.5 x 14.5 in (50 x 37 cm)

The work has a printed inscription on the lower right stating that it was printed at the Chitrashala Press, Poona City

The original painting of this fabulous print was done by Bheeva Sutar, which was photographed by Rajaram Rangoba. It was then painted by Balkrishna Joshi for the chromolithograph from its photograph. This lithograph was the first political and commercial success for Chitrashala Press, selling more than 2000 copies in the first instance. It was so popular that by 1881 they had already published the 3rd edition. Ram was the perfect Hindu fighting king for then freedom fighters of Maharashtra. Ram makes the vitarka mudra with his right hand, signalling his devotees to follow him. Sita rests on her husband’s knee as he sits on the throne. The skins of Ram and his brother Bharat are both blue-skinned as both of them are avatars of Vishnu. On the right are Ram’s twin brothers, Shatrughan and Lakshman holding their bows. On left, the monkey god Hanuman joins his palms together in devotion to Ram.

(Set of two)

These works will be shipped unframed