Rama pining for Sita

Physical description

Rama in a deep yellow dhoti woefully recounts to Lakshmana, the abduction of Sita by the demon Ravana. Lakshmana in orange-red dhoti and yellow scarf listens with clasped hands.
Green background.

Place of Origin

Basohli, India (made)

Date

ca. 1695 (made)

Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour on paper

Marks and inscriptions

'simaran dasa' 'the state of remembering'
124 (numeral)
verse from the Rasamanjari 'Fearing lest the agony of Lakshmana increase, Rama neither expresses his own pain, nor heaves hot sighs, nor lets his eyes fill with tears. Pining away in the fever of love, which burns like a fierce fire fanned by a strong wind, he remembers Sita constantly'
(trans. Randhawa and Bhambri (1967))

Dimensions

Height: 225 mm with border, Width: 255 mm, Height: 170 mm, Width: 320 mm with border

Descriptive line

Painting, Rama pines for Sita, Basohli, ca. 1695

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Archer, W.G. 'Indian Paintings From The Punjab Hills: A Survey and History of Pahari Miniature Painting' Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1973. 38p

Exhibition History

The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic (British Library, London 16/05/2008-14/09/2008)

Subjects depicted

Rama; Lakshmana

Categories

Paintings; Hinduism

Collection code

SSEA