The Demon Marichi Tries to Dissuade Ravana; Illustrated folio from a dispersed Ramayana series
India (Himachal Pradesh, Kangra)
Ravana leaves his golden palace (seen in the background) in his gem-studded chariot drawn by mules, traveling over an ocean filled with fantastic creatures. He tells the ascetic demon Maricha to transform into a golden deer and lure Rama away from Sita, leaving her vulnerable to abduction. On hearing this scheme, Maricha throws his hands up in terror, imploring Ravana not to be a slave to his passions, as he knows this will bring about both of their deaths. Here, the artist fills much of the daring composition, painted at the creative zenith of the Kangra workshop, with a swirling ocean to indicate the wild nature of Maricha’s retreat.
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