Imagining Rama’s Journey at the Cleveland Museum of Art

 

Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha complains that Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears, from Chapter 30 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1690–1710. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, possibly Rajput Kingdom of Mandi, court of Sidh Sen (reigned 1684–1727). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; page: 21.6 x 31.8 cm (8 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.); image: 18.4 x 28.9 cm (7 1/4 x 11 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.107

 
 

Imagining Rama’s Journey

March 10, 2023 — September 17, 2023

 

The Hindu epic Ramayana, or “Rama’s Journey,” was a source of inspiration for artists throughout India. Working in different contexts, they continually reimagined the way scenes and characters should be depicted. For at least two millennia, in Sanskrit and many vernacular languages, authors and bards have been retelling the sweeping story of the divine hero Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshmana, and their demonic enemy Ravana. In effect, many different Ramayana accounts developed in localized regions and communities.  

Unifying the varied styles and media of the works on view, dating from the 1700s to 2000s, are the core narrative and consistent cast of characters. The scenes provoke questions about the nature of divinity, good and evil, justice, and destiny through a story that is endlessly adaptable, simultaneously specific and universal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibition Preview

 

Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1700–1720. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Nurpur, Court of Dayadhata (reigned 1700–1735). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; image: 16.4 x 26.8 cm (6 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); page: 20.7 x 31 cm (8 1/8 x 12 3/16 in.); with mat: 36.3 x 49 cm (14 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1973.103

Sugriva, c. 1720. Southern India, Andhra Pradhesh. Gum tempera, ink, and hand-colored silver paper appliqué on paper; page: 35.5 x 23.5 cm (14 x 9 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ward 1975.73

Tiered Court Scene, c. 1735. Chitarman II (Indian, c. 1680–с. 1750). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; page: 54.6 x 39 cm (21 1/2 x 15 3/8 in.); image: 40.1 x 29.1 cm (15 13/16 x 11 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Michael de Havenon 1973.237

The birth of Rama and his brothers, from Chapter 17 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood) of the Adhyatma Ramayana (Rama's Journey of the Supreme Spirit) from the Brahmanda Purana (Ancient Scripture of the Cosmic Egg), c. 1820–30. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Kangra, Court of Aniruddh Chand (reigned 1823–33). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; image: 25.1 x 34 cm (9 7/8 x 13 3/8 in.); page: 29.9 x 38.5 cm (11 3/4 x 15 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1953.13

Enthroned Rama and Sita receive homage from their monkey and bear Allies, from the Yuddha Kanda (Book of the War) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1765. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Nurpur. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 40.7 x 28.9 cm (16 x 11 3/8 in.); image: 23.7 x 14.9 cm (9 5/16 x 5 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.117

Feast where Vishnu decides he will incarnate as King Dasharatha’s sons, from Chapters 14–15 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1810. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Kangra. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 27.7 x 39.4 cm (10 7/8 x 15 1/2 in.); image: 23.5 x 34.7 cm (9 1/4 x 13 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.121

Rama and Lakshmana slay the demon giant Viradha, from Chapters 2 through 4 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1770. Central India, Bundelkhand Region, Madhya Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Datia. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 21 x 29.8 cm (8 1/4 x 11 3/4 in.); image: 19 x 28 cm (7 1/2 x 11 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.122

Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from Chapters 50 and 51 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of Valmiki's Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); folio from the "Burnt" Ramayana, c. 1605. Central India, Bundelkhand Region, Madhya Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Datia, Court of Raja Bir Singh Deo (reigned 1605–27). Gum tempera and ink on paper; painting: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.306

Rama’s brothers Bharata and Shatrughna set out from Ayodhya to find Rama and Lakshmana in the forest to inform them of the death of their father Dasharatha, from Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1775–80. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Kangra. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 24.9 x 35.7 cm (9 13/16 x 14 1/16 in.); image: 20.5 x 31.5 cm (8 1/16 x 12 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.119

Rama and Lakshmana Fighting Ravana, from a Dashavatara (Ten Incarnations [of Vishnu]) series, c. 1765. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Chamba, Court of Raj Singh (reigned 1764–94). Gum tempera and gold on paper; image: 21.2 x 15.8 cm (8 3/8 x 6 1/4 in.); page: 26.8 x 19.4 cm (10 9/16 x 7 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1953.357

Ravana addresses Sita in the garden of Lanka, from Chapters 53 and 54 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1725. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Guler. Gum tempera, gold, and silver on paper; image: 55.5 x 79 cm (21 7/8 x 31 1/8 in.); page: 56.3 x 81 cm (22 3/16 x 31 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of George P. Bickford 1966.143

Khadgaroma, Son of Ravana, c. 1720. Southern India, Andhra Pradesh. Gum tempera, ink, and hand-colored silver paper appliqué on paper; page: 39.7 x 27.6 cm (15 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2001.163

 
News 11, Exhibitions 2Editorial TeamArt of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold