The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 3, 2023

King Dasharatha sends his chief minister Sumantra to summon Rama, from Chapter 16 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya), folio 18 of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

c. 1690–1710

This object has related works. See The royal priest Shatananda confirms that the four princesses of Mithila should marry the sons of King Dasharatha, from Chapter 70 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood), folio 13 from a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha complains that Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears, from Chapter 30 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, possibly Rajput Kingdom of Chamba, court of Udai Singh

(reigned 1690–1720)

Gum tempera and ink on paper

Overall: 22.5 x 32.7 cm (8 7/8 x 12 7/8 in.)

Gift of Norman Zaworski in honor of Sherman and Ruth Lee 1996.361

Location

242B Indian Painting

Fun Fact

Dasharatha’s chief wife Kaushalya, mother of Rama, kneels on the golden stool.

Description

Seated upon a golden stool before her husband, Queen Kaushalya agrees that the time has come for him to retire and their son Rama to be crowned king of Ayodhya. King Dasharatha gestures to his minister to fetch Rama so they can give him the news of their decision. The scene takes place in the private apartments of the palace, guarded by a stern staff-bearer at the door. In the top margin, the number “18” is written in Takri, the regional script used in the western Himalayas.

Inscriptions

Inscription

[[recto]] 18

Inscription Remark

At top, margin, in Takri

Inscription

[[recto]] (indistinct Takri note unrelated to the picture)

Inscription

[[verso, in Sanskrit with Devanagari numerals]] 16 ayodhyā

Inscription Translation

[Chapter] 16, [Book of] Ayodhya

Provenance
1956
Raghubir Singh of Shangri, Kulu Valley
?–1996
Norman Zaworski [1920–2013], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1996–
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Cleveland Museum of Art, “Major Neoclassical Marble, Rare Korean Sculpture, Other Recent CMA Acquisitions Now on View,” April 16, 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives. archive.org
Exhibition history

Imagining Rama's Journey (Indian Painting rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 10-September 17, 2023).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1996.361