Untitled (Hanuman Battling Kalnemi)

The Ramayana is one of the two major Sanskrit epics from ancient India. The embedded narrative of the epic has lent itself to myriad (visual) interpretations and reimaginations for centuries. This pat—traditional artworks from eastern India known for their intricate details and depictions of myths and legends—shows Kalnemi, a demon in Hindu mythology who was tasked with killing Hanuman, the monkey-god and devotee of Rama. The demon is seen in a warring embrace with Hanuman, who is en route to Gandhamadan, a mountain range in eastern India, to retrieve a life-saving herb for Lakshmana, Rama’s brother. Kalnemi—who is promised half of Ravana’s kingdom if he manages to stop Hanuman—is skilfully drawn, the artist having painted only eyes for the four heads, creating a clever optical illusion. And, instead of hand drawing the entire artwork, the artist has filled in colour within a stamped outline.