Rama Pierces the Seven Shala Trees

Currently not on view

Rama Pierces the Seven Shala Trees

c. 1725-1750

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Although this page was discovered as part of the "Shangri" Ramayana series, it appears to be a later addition that was made in a different town. This episode is from the chapter that relates Rama's encounter with the monkey kingdom during his forest exile. Sugriva, the monkey king, wanted to test Rama's strength to determine if he could overcome Valin, Sugriva's elder brother and rival for the monkey throne. He gave Rama two tasks. In this one, Rama was required to shoot an arrow through a shala tree, but his power was so great that he shot through seven trees with one arrow, which then returned to his bow. Crowned Sugriva and Rama's brother, Lakshmana, stand behind the blue-skinned hero. Rama has just shot the arrow. A thin line marks its wiggling path through the seven trees and it can be seen piercing the ground at the far right.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Rama Pierces the Seven Shala Trees
Page from a dispersed series of the Ramayana

Date:

c. 1725-1750

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver-colored paint on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 7 × 12 9/16 inches (17.8 × 31.9 cm) Sheet: 8 9/16 × 13 9/16 inches (21.7 × 34.4 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

125th Anniversary Acquisition. Alvin O. Bellak Collection, 2004

Accession Number:

2004-149-28

Geography:

Made in Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia Possibly made in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia or made in Jammu and Kashmir, India, Asia

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Currently not on view