Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Paintings

Tanjore Style Painting

Coronation of Rama - the 7th Incarnation of Vishnu

This Tanjore painting shows the enthronement of Rama after his exile from Ayodhya - a scene from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Sita is seated to Rama's left and below her the great monkey devotee Hanuman. Various attendants offer worship including monkey chiefs and sages Vashishta, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kasyapa, Katyayana, Suyajna, Guatama and Vijaya.

Rama's brother Lakshmana holds the royal parasol over Rama's head. Satrughna and Vibishana each fan Rama with white horse tail fly whisks.

In the ultramarine blue sky celestials pour down offerings of flowers. This joyous scene in the Ramayana is the beginning of Rama-Rajaya. This is an eleven-thousand year period of glorious just rule where virtue, peace and prosperity flourished throughout Ramas kingdom. The Tanjore-style of painting flourished for 200 years and is indiginous to Tamil Nadu in South India.