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Home , Ayodhya (Ramayana), Lanka, Rama, Rama (character)

PICTURING THE STORY: NARRATIVE ARTS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL

Rama's Return to : from the

At the end of the epic poem the Ramayana, the hero- brothers and , along with Rama’s wife , returned in triumph to their home- city of Ayodhya. They were accompanied by the armies of the King and Bear King, who helped them defeat the evil , demon-king of . The victorious party is joined by Vibhishan, the new King of Lanka, who joined Rama’s cause against his own brother Ravana.

When Rama, longing to Indian Rama, Sita and Lakshmana Return to Ayodhya, ca. 1850-1900 return home after his long Rajasthan, Rajput School adventures, laments, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver and gold paint on paper, 11 1/4 in. x 17 15/16 in. Gift of Helen H. Reiff in memory of Robert F. Reiff, 83.55

"Far is Ayodhya: long, alas, Then Rama entered the glorious car “A joy beyond all joys the best the dreary road and hard to pass." that shone like Day's resplendent star. will fill my overflowing breast, "One day," Vibhishan cried, "one day There in his lap he held his dame if surrounded by you, O noble band, shall bear thee over that length of way. veiling her eyes in modest shame. I seek again my native land.” Is not the wondrous car Pushpaka mine, Beside him Lakshmana took his stand, made by the ’s own hands whose mighty bow still armed his hand. Swift through the air, as Rama chose, divine? the wondrous car from earth arose. The prize which Ravana seized of old "O King Vibhishan," Rama cried, So decked with swans and silver wings victorious over the God of Gold? "O monkey chiefs, so long allied, bore through the clouds its freight This chariot, kept with utmost care, my last farewell, O friends, receive, of kings. will sail you through the fields of air, for Lanka's isle this hour I leave." and you shall land unwearied down Loud rose their cry in answer: "We, Taken from The Ramayana, Canto CXXIX Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith, 1870-1874 in fair Ayodhya's royal town. O King Rama, would go with thee." Internet Sacred Text Archive Their the Lord Rama heard, http://www.sacred- and spoke, his heart with rapture stirred: texts.com/hin/rama/ry495.htm

PICTURING THE STORY: NARRATIVE ARTS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL

READING THE ART The Ramayana tells the story of the adventures of Rama, language. It is now known as the “Festival of Lights” and (RAH-mah) the eldest son of the king of the ancient city is one of the most important Hindu festivals. The five-day Ayodhya (eye-YOH-dah). In this scene towards the end of festival begins in October or November. the story, Lakshmana (lock-SHMAH-nah), Rama, and Especially in northern , the second day of Diwali Sita (SEE-tah), fly home from celebrates Rama’s triumphant return and coronation as 14 years of exile. Their king of the city of Ayodhya. adventures took them across the sea to the island kingdom of The heroic Rama is revered as an , or earthly Lanka, where Sita had been held form, of , the Hindu god of protection. Rama prisoner by the evil king Ravana. demonstrates all of the ideal characteristics of a son, They sit in the magical flying brother, friend, husband, and king. Sita is honored as a car, Pushpaka (poosh-PAH-kah), lifted by swans and divine incarnation of , goddess of wealth and surrounded by members of the monkey and bear prosperity and wife of Vishnu. Sita is held up as the ideal armies. The leaders of the monkey army, wearing woman and wife: loyal, brave, and pure of heart. crowns, sit near the center, facing Rama. Vibhishan (VEE-bee- MATERIALS AND METHODS shahn), the new king of Lanka, Emperors of the Islamic Mughal dynasty imported the also sits facing Rama at center painting of watercolor miniatures to India in the mid with a crown, dark skin, and a 1500s. Adapted from Iranian Islamic manuscript painting, black mustache. the paintings illustrate images of court life and poetry, and became popular items for wealthy collectors. CONNECTING THE CULTURE The Ramayana is one of two epic poems from ancient A sketch artist lightly draws the painting’s layout, using Hindu tradition (the other being the ) which white pigment over any corrections. This drawing is the have greatly influenced Indian civilization. The basis for a stencil, made by overlaying transparent Ramayana dates back as far as 1500 BCE in the oral, or skin (or thinner tracing paper) and piercing tiny holes spoken word, tradition. Scenes from the Ramayana have along the lines. By pouncing, or patting or brushing black appeared in all the visual arts in India - painting, sculpture, pigment across the stencil, the pigment passes through the theater, and architecture - for thousands of years. holes and leaves soft outlines on the fine paper surface.

Some of the most significant holidays in The painter applies flat water-based colors in order of celebrate events of the Ramayana. Ramnavami, in April, shade, lighter colors first. Human figures are painted first, celebrates Rama’s birthday, as well as the wedding animal figures next, and the background last of all. Lavish anniversary of Rama and Sita. The ten-day festival of decoration and bright colors bring out tiny details of Dussehra (September/October) celebrates the victory of costume, props, and architecture. Highlights in gold leaf good over evil, in particular the victory of Rama and his are the last step before burnishing; the painting is laid allies against Ravana. Diwali (also spelled Divali or facedown and rubbed with a polished stone to harden and Deepavali) means “a row of lamps” in the ancient smooth the surface texture.