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Description

Rectangular shaped calendar print. Depicted are three males with Rama in the middle and Sita kneeling with her head bent and hands held in worship. All are talking under a brown tree with a large trunk, foliage and mountains in background. Rama has white beard, brown hair in top knot, wearing a pink cloth wrap from waist; points towards left with his right arm, while looking at male on his right. Young males are wearing yellow cloth garments with pink cloth wrapped around their shoulders; white pearls and gold caps. Male on left grasps red bow like object. Print has unevenly cut edges. Back is covered with grey printed text. Brown signature on bottom left reads: Ravi Varma.

Cultural Context

calendar art; popular religious art

Narrative

Rama, the most perfect of princes, and his noble wife Sita portray the ideal couple by their acts of self-denial for the good of society. Popular episode is Rama's rescue of Sita from the ten-headed demon king, Ravana, with the help of Hanuman and Lakshmana.

Iconographic Meaning

Rama, seventh incarnation of Vishnu, is identified by the presence of his ideal, loving wife, Sita, by his side; Vaishnavite 'u' on forehead; bow and arrow-filled quiver symbolizing masculine virtures; green-coloured skin; either dressed as a king or forest dweller; presence of Hanuman, half-human, half-monkey deity, often shown kneeling at Rama's feet; and presence of Rama's brother Lakshmana, also carrying an arrow-filled quiver.

History Of Use

Indian popular religious prints have been published for nearly a century, first by German presses, later by Indian ones. The prints may take the form of calendars, posters, or simply images. The style of the representations is European. In the beginning they were Hindu images, but are now acquiring elements both of folk art and a romantic secularism. It is a living art currently influenced by the movie industry and non-Hindu religions. The images are a vehicle for advertising and are also used for religious purposes.