Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Image: Rama and Jatayu



Jatayu
Kangra painting, circa 1830

You can read more about Jatayu at Wikipedia.

From the Museum site: The artist here tells this story as a continuous narrative, from left to right, with the figures of Rama and Lakshmana appearing multiple times. First the heroes encounter the mortally wounded Jatayus (who looks less like a vulture than a dove). After Jatayus dies, Rama and Lakshmana, determined that he shall have an honorable funeral, carry his body toward a cremation fire, cradling it gently. Afterward (at the back) they perform cleansing rituals in the river and proceed on their journey in search of Sita. A deity floating on a cloud observes the scenes.


Details: talking with Jatayu; conducting Jatayu's funeral