Ramlila

Haren Das was a prominent printmaker and master of academic naturalism, and unlike his contemporaries who were moving away from realism, he remained faithful to this style throughout his career. Having grown up in a farming community in East Dinajpur (in present day Bangladesh), Das extensively documented the pattern of life in the villages of Bengal. This colour etching depicts the staging of a Ramleela—which comprises of ritual performances of the Hindu epic Ramayana (focusing on the life of its protagonist, Rama) through songs and narration.  A sharp contrast between the central, brightly lit up, staging area and the surrounding darkness creates a dramatic effect.