Anantha Sayana

This elaborately detailed old Mysore Painting depicts Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of all creation, in his resting form, called Ranganatha. He is seen lying down on the serpent god Adisesha, with his consort, Lakshmi next to him. Several attendees and worshippers surround him, and even celestial beings are showering blessings upon him. This is the form of Lord Vishnu in which he listens to all of his devotees' woes, and blesses them.
The painting has been made by the artist par excellence, K. Venkata Raman, who was eclectic in his repertoire. The way he signed his artworks over the course of his career kept changing, and makes for an interesting study. In this artwork, the artist has signed in the bottom centre as M.K.V.R.P, which stands for 'Mysuru Kullayya Venkata Raman Painter'. Venkata Raman lived and worked in Nanjangud, T. Narasipura (Karnataka), and passed away in 1976.