‘Ram Abhiram’, an art exhibition at National Museum showcases timeless appeal of Ramayan
By Jagpreet Luthra
New Delhi, January 31, 2018: A 13th century bronze sculpture,a 15th century wood carving and an 18th century painting on paper inspire reverence—for the sheer pieces of time they are. When the paintings, drawings, sculptures and scripts are about Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, the observer is transported to an awesome world.
Hundreds of years ago, who were these artistes, expending their creative cravings and devotion on any and everything—from stone, mudandwood to metal, cloth and paper? Not one of them seems to have had the motivation for name and fame that drives most of the modern artistes.
As the eyes move from one anonymous masterpiece to another, one only seesa signature of joy of the artistes expressing themselves through the works. There is an amazing 300-year-old miniature sculpture, a mere 3.5x1.8 centimeters, of Ram and Sita-- carved out of gold and studded with 38 gems-- and a 400-year-old Valmiki’s Ramayan written in Persian language and Nastaliga script.
A chunk of the exhibition is on the iconic devotee Hanuman. One hears kids as young as five yelling out “Ram ji” and “Hanuman ji” as they accompany the parents at the exhibition. A tourist guide is showing foreigners around and a mother is explaining the story of Maricha, the demon.
“Ram Abhiram”, organised by the Union Ministry of Culture at the National Museum on Janpath in Delhi, is a hearty celebration, not just of Ramayan but also of the artistic talent of many centuries. There are bright yellow, red and orange paintings from Rajasthan and beautiful bronze and wood sculptures from south India. Almost all the theatre traditions of India, including Yaksagna of Karnataka/Mysore, Jatra of West Bengal and Bomalattam of Andhra, depicting Ramayan, are showcased here.
The notice board at the exhibition states that the excellence of artists, the passion of patrons, the faith of devotees, the verve of the folk andthe aesthetics of the courts bring out emotion and beauty.Indeed, beginning with the title, which means “Ram, the delightful”, the exhibition is a treat.