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Add Or 5725
- Record Id:
- 032-003264376
- Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
- 032-003264376
- MDARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100028181445.0x000339
- LARK:
- SLARK:
- Format:
- ISAD(G)
- Reference (shelfmark):
- Add Or 5725
- Title:
-
Lakshman cuts of the nose of Shurpanakha
- Scope & Content:
-
Lakshman cuts of the nose of Shurpanakha
A folio from the Impey Ramayana
Murshidabad, 1760-70
Gouache and gold on paper
Painting: 29 x 18.3 cm; Folio: 32.4 x 21.7 cm
Purchased 2013
The Ramayana is one of the great Sanskrit epics narrating the story of Rama, prince of Ayodhya, who lived in exile for 14 years. The story is attributed to the sage Valmiki, a contemporary of Rama. Accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, the Ramayama recounts their adventures and misfortunes including the kidnapping of Sita by the demon Ravana. The epic tale is composed of 24,000 verses that were divided into seven books. The episode depicted here, featuring Lakshman cutting off the nose of Shurpanakha, is reported in the Aranyakanda (‘Book of the Forest’).
Shurpanakha, the sister of Ravana (the 10-headed demon king of Lanka) encountered the handsome Rama at his hermitage. Awestruck by his beauty, she instantly transformed herself from a hideous demon with matted red hair into a vision of beauty. Initally rebuffed by Rama, she approached Lakshman and proclaimed: ‘My beauty renders me a worthy wife for thee; therefore come and we will range the Dandaka Forest and mountains happily together’ (Shastri 1952-59). Lakshman replied in jest: ‘how canst thou wish to become the wife of a slave, such as I? I am wholly dependent on my noble brother. Thou whose complexion resembles the lotus, who art pleasing to look upon and chaste? Lady of large eyes, though art a paragon, do thou become the consort of that matchless hero. Renouncing that ugly, evil and peevish old woman, whose limbs are deformed, he will certainly devote himself to thee! Lady of ravishing complexion and lovely limbs, what sensible man would sacrifice that unrivalled beauty of thine for an ordinary woman?’ (Shastri 1952-59).
Grasping the reality of his prose, Shurapanka unfurled her wrath on Rama’s beautiful wife Sita. Lakshman immediately pulled his sword and cut off the nose and ears of Shurpanakha! Shrieking in pain and her face streaming with blood, she fled to her brother Ravana. The 10-headed demon sent his army to retaliate. In the lower half of the page, Rama and Lakshman are featured in combat with the demon army.
On reverse, seal impression of Sir Elijah Impey.
Provenance: Sir Elijah Impey
Sir Thomas Phillips Bt.
Sotheby's London 26 November 1968, Lot 417
Sotheby's London 16 April 1984, Lot 32
- Collection Area:
- Visual Arts
- Project / Collection:
- Impey Collection
- Hierarchy Tree:
- [{ "id" : "032-003264376", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Add Or 5725: Lakshman cuts of the nose of Shurpanakha" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]
- Hierarchy Record Ids:
- 032-003264376
- Is part of:
- not applicable
- Hierarchy:
- 032-003264376
- Container:
- not applicable
- Record Type (Level):
- Fonds
- Extent:
- 1 Item
- Digitised Content:
- Languages:
- Not applicable
- Scripts:
- Not applicable
- Styles:
- Bengal style
Eastern India style - Start Date:
- 1760
- End Date:
- 1760
- Date Range:
- 1760
- Era:
- CE
- Access:
-
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- User Conditions:
- Appointment required to view these records. Please consult Asian and African Studies Print Room staff.
- Physical Characteristics:
-
Medium: gouache; paper
- Exhibitions:
- The Rama Epic: Hero, Heroine, Ally, Foe, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 21 October 2016 - 15 January 2017
- Material Type:
- Prints, Drawings and Paintings
- Legal Status:
- Not Public Record(s)
- Subjects:
- Hindu divinities
Hindu imagery - Places:
- Murshidabad, West Bengal, India