Rama Kicks the Demon Dundubhi

Gallery 327, Asian Art, third floor (Wood Gallery)

Main Building

Rama Kicks the Demon Dundubhi

c. 1720

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Rama, hero of the epic Ramayana, and his brother Lakshmana wear leaf garments: skirts and hats of leaves, with the stems still attached to the crowns of their foliage caps. The text says that they abandoned everything of value before beginning their forest exile. Here, however, they are draped in jewels. This ornamentation serves as a visual symbol of the brothers’ divine status. The illustration depicts one of the tests of strength given to Rama by Sugriva, the monkey king. Using his divine might, Rama had to kick the demon corpse (lower left) a great distance; he achieved it with only his big toe.

Gallery 327, Asian Art, third floor (Wood Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Rama Kicks the Demon Dundubhi
Page from a dispersed series of the Ramayana

Date:

c. 1720

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

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

Dimensions:

Image: 6 7/16 × 10 7/16 inches (16.4 × 26.5 cm) Sheet: 7 7/8 × 12 1/8 inches (20 × 30.8 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

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

Accession Number:

2004-149-29

Geography:

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

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Gallery 327, Asian Art, third floor (Wood Gallery)

Main Building

Museum map