Rama's Coronation - 03

Intricate and complex, this is a Thanjavur reverse glass painting of ‘Ramapattabhisheka’, depicting the coronation of Rama after his defeat of Ravana. Rama is in the centre, seated on a throne with his wife Sita beside him. His brothers Bharat and Lakshman are standing in attendance to the top right holding an ‘abdagiri’ and a chamara respectively. Shatrughan, the youngest, is to the left also holding a flywhisk, and Hanuman is shown as the archetype devotee at the bottom centre holding up Rama’s foot. To the left at the bottom are the Vanaras (forest people) and in amongst them is the blue bear-like figure of Jambavantha, a great warrior and strategist. On the right are Ravana’s brother and his followers who switched to Rama side during the war. Below them on either side of the image is and elephant and horse, both symbols of royal power. On the top left are saints who have come to bless Rama, and above the beautiful arched and domed building are two angels blessing him. Ramapattabhisheka, or Rama's Coronation is believed to be a very auspicious image, and is a common subjects in traditional Indian paintings.