"SRI RAMA PATTABHISHEKAM" -HUNDRED YEARS OLD VINTAGE ANTIQUE TANJORE GOLD PAINTING DESCRIPTION

Описание: PROF. T. SUBRAMANYAM NAIDU DESCRIBES
A VINTAGE PRICELESS ART WORK OF SRI RAMA PATTABHISHEKA MAHOTSAVA PAINTING
(A CLASSICAL TANJORE PAINTING)
Coronation of Rama & Sita (Sri Rama Patabhishekam) –Depicted in Thanjavur Painting.
The dimensions width (without frame): 26 inches x 42.2 inches.
The dimension height (with wooden frame): 35 inches x 48.5 inches.
Total height (with top sankha and chakra plate): 59.2 inches. Weight: 46.4 kgs.Made with traditional colours, every bit of this painting has been precisely embellished with pure gold coating (24 karat) studded with sequence of shining stones along the out lined which is the characteristic feature of Tanjore art work.
This painting of Sri Rama and attendants is a classical Thanjavur painting. A rare antiques collection (with doors). It dates to around 1910. The painting was acquired from Pondicherry in an antique collection place and almost certainly has been in Pondicherry (once a French colony in South India) since French ruling times.
The depiction of the panting is a well-known type and provides a detailed description of Sri Rama’s Pattabhishekam. The painting is covered with teak wood frame with two doors with a depiction on the (external side of the doors) Dwrapalkas, Chelikatheas, and custodians in the inner side of the doors we find Garuda, Tumburu Narada, Shuka Maharshi, Anjaneya. Dwara Palakas, and Priests performing Nakshtra arati. The paintings on wood doors are antique oil painting belongs to 19th century. The doors can be opened and closed easily. On the top of the frame, we find the paintings of Garuda Alwar and Anjaneya with Sanka, Chakra, and Nama.
The painting shows Sri Rama with green skin seated on a throne beneath an elaborate gilded, cusped arch and against a red background. Sri Rama sits in lalitasana with his left leg raised. Sita, his consort, sits to his left. Lakshmana, his brother, sits to his right. His other two brothers, Bharata and Shatrughna, are seated on Sita’s left (our right). We can also find Vibhishana on the left side of Sita along with other sages. All of them are copiously laden with gold jewelers befitting their divine status. Sri Ramas eyes looks angelic (almond shape) which is a uniqueness of Tanjore traditional painting and all the faces have 3D effect. From any direction can if you look all the eyes are looking at you. It is a unique creation.
Also seated on Rama’s right are the seven sages
Rama’s allies, Vanara sena (monkeys) are below. A green-skinned Hanuman kneels before Rama’s throne and holds Rama’s right foot in his hands. Meanwhile, Sugriva, the king of the monkeys stands before the throne and is opening a treasure chest, the contents of which are to be distributed among Rama’s allies.
According to Dallapiccola (2010, p. 109), such a painting follows the large
Ramapattabhisheka scenes reproduced in nineteenth century Thanjavur (Tanjore) paintings.
The painting is bright and in an excellent condition. Presently it is placed in our puja room getting regular pujas.
COMMENT: BY LOOKING THIS PAINTING ONE CAN FEEL THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING IN THE SRI RAMAS PATTABHIKA MAHOTSAVA. SRI RAMAS ANGELIC ALMOND SHAPE EYES ATTRACTS YOU FROM ANY DIRECTION YOU LOOK, I HAVE AN EMOTIONAL SPIRITUAL FEELING BY SEEING THIS PAINTING. ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED WITH THIS CLASSICAL VINTAGE PAINTING.
WE ARE GREATLY THANKFUL TO THE CREATOR OF THIS PAINTING.
IT IS A PRICELESS WORK OF ART, NOT FOR SALE; IT IS A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE HINDU GODS.

References
Dallapiccola, A.L., South Indian Paintings: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection, The British Museum Press
Kuldip Singh, Thanjavur's Gilded Gods: South Indian Paintings in the Kuldip Singh Collection 2018