Sri Ramapattabhishekam

This is an oleograph of Sri Rama Abhisekam by the artist C.G. Ramanujam. It has been lithographed at the Ravi Varma Press, Malavali, Lonavala in the early 1900s. Abhisheka in Sanskrit means "bathing of the divinity to whom worship is offered." It is a religious rite or method of prayer in which a devotee pours a liquid offering on the god or goddess. This is portrayed here as part of the coronation of Rama after his defeat of Ravana, when he returned to be crowned king of Ayodhya. To Rama’s right sits his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana stands holding his bow. Rama’s other brothers Bharata and Shatrughna are standing in attendance holding flywhisks. Hanuman is touching Rama’s foot at the bottom to the left, above him is Sugriva, the king of Vanaras, as well as the bear like figure Jambavan, a great warrior and strategist. At the bottom right is Ravana’s brother (blue figure) and his followers who switched to Rama’s side during the war.
C.G. Ramanujam was one of the well-known artists who worked for the Ravi Varma Press. Ramanujam's portrayals of the deities and mythological subjects were heavily influenced by the Tanjore style of painting. The traditional attire, the jewellery and other elements also give a clear indication of the artist's roots in South India.