14th - 15th century

Double-sided Page from a Newar Mahabharata Manuscript

This folio illustrates scenes from the Indian epic the Mahabharata. Revered among Hindus the world over, this story details major and minor family disputes among royal cousins with helpful and interfering gods and demons entering into play. While it is difficult to determine the exact scenes portrayed here, their artistic merit is evident, even with surfaces marred by bloody ritual offerings. The individuals' lower garments display the red, white, and blue striped patterns of the middle centuries of the Malla period, while the floating flowers, fantastic trees, and billowing shawls of the ladies reflect earlier Malla motifs.