c. Early 19th century
Rama Confronts the Demon Maricha Who Is Disguised as a Golden Deer
Artist/maker unknownThis fragment of a Bengali pata (painted scroll) depicts an event from the epic Ramayana. The scenes take place in the forest where the hero-god Rama (with dark-blue skin) has been exiled with his beautiful wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Lakshmana rejects the advances of Surpanakha, sister of the demon-king Ravana. According to the tale, Surpanakha complains to her brother of her harsh treatment, and Ravana sends his henchman Maricha, disguised as a golden deer, to lure Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Here, Rama confronts the deer, which transforms back into the manlike demon Maricha.
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