#rajput art

[softcoffeeandroses]

Enthroned Rama and Sita receive homage from their monkey and bear Allies, from the Yuddha Kanda (Book of the War) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1765. gum tempera and gold on paper, 40.7 x 28.9 cm  Cleveland Museum of Art This scene is set at the end of the Hindu epic Ramayana, after Rama returns from 14 years of exile in the forest. During Rama’s time of exile, Ravana abducted Rama’s wife Sita. Rama gathered an army of monkeys and bears, and rescued Sita. The chiefs of the monkey and bear armies pay their respects to the reunited royal couple.

[kailasanath]

Cenotaph – Chattrī (छत्री)

Cenotaphs or chattrī (छत्री) are funerary memorials dedicated to Rājpūta kings, princes and chieftains of North West India. Common from the medieval times, these can often be seen near river or lake banks which served as cremation spots.

These are the chattrīs in and around the Gaḍhīsār Lake near Jaisalmer.

Dates would probably range around the 18th to first half of the 19th Centuries CE

[kailasanath]

Worshipping Devī Durgā

Mahārāja Ajītsinghjī of Jodhpur (1707 – 1724 CE) offering āratī to Goddess Durgā.

Opaque water colour and gold on paper, 18th century CE

Mehrāṇgaḍh Museum

[kailasanath]

Silver Wine Flask

A silver wine flask in the shape of a dancing girl. The wine was poured from the spout inside the miniature bottle held in the dancing girl’s right hand.

Royal Jodhpur collection, 18th or 19th Century

Mehrangarh Fort

[stitpics]

Incredible India 2015. In Rajput legend, the first Chandelan king, single handededly and unarmed, fought and bested a lion. This legend is represented repeatedly at the World Heritage Khajuraho site in Madhya Pradesh state. As you can see, a certain amount of artistic license appears to have been taken. The statues date to circa 1000 AD. For more on this anazing site, and one of its “stories in stone” visit http://ahstitt.com/video-9.php