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Introduction

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1. Ramayana canopy 2103-1883 (IS) Dimensions: 296.5 x 396.5 cmDate: c. 1881–82 (Telugu cyclical year Vrisha)Artist: Panchakalla Pedda SubbarayuduProvenance: ChiralaCaptions: in Telugu

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2 Ramayana Machilipatnam

2. Ramayana canopy 5457A (IS) Dimensions: 346 x 338 cmDate: Probably mid-19th century Provenance: Probably Machilipatnam Captions: in Telugu

meeti ng of Rama and Lakshmana with Sugriva, and their pact of alliance (fi g. 50.2). A small but noteworthy detail: here the arti st shows Sugriva and his followers returning to Rama the jewels that Sita dropped while being abducted in Ravana’s chariot.

Th e Sundarakanda and Yuddhakanda are arranged around the centr al medallion. Pride of place have the meeti ng of Sita and Hanuman in the Ashokavana (fi g. 51), the burning of Lanka (no. 52), Indrajit’s gory sacrifi ce in Nikumbhila, just before his batt le against Lakshmana, and Vibhishana instr ucti ng Rama to aim his fatal arrow at Ravana’s navel, containing the nectar of immortality (no. 53). Sita’s fi re ordeal (no. 55) and the return to Ayodhya in the aerial chariot, the Pushpaka Vimana (no. 56), conclude the narrati ve.Th e centr al medallion surrounded by lotus petals is slightly diff erent in layout fr om the usual Ramapatta bhisheka scenes (fi g. 57).

The style of the painting is totally different from that of the Chirala canopy: it is more inventi ve, though not as carefully executed, but full of life and movement. Th e master dyer’s deep empathy with the subject is revealed by the countless small details that enliven his work. Each scene bears an explanatory capti on and the occasional label in Telugu.

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