Rakshasas
Historical background
Malevolent spirits that roam at night assuming many forms at will. They are described as raw flesh-eaters, having deformed limbs, sharp claws and side-fangs. They play a prominent role in Hindu mythology and folklore.
Date: First half of the 18th century, partly restored
Description: Top row: Krishna, Balarama, Nanda and Yasodha travel in a chariot; Worship scene; Nanda is attacked by a python and saved by Krishna; Bottom row: Narada enlightens Kamsa on the incidents connected with Krishna’s birth; Kamsa attempts to kill Vasudeva, Narada restrains him; Vasudeva and Devaki are imprisoned again; Kamsa plots to have Krishna killed.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall, north west corner
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Top row: Kamsa talks to Akrura; The gopis take leave of Krishna and Balarama; Centre: The boys on a chariot preceded by yet another chariot carrying Nanda (?) on the way to Mathura; Bottom row: Akrura’s vision.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Top row: Akrura’s vision; Centre: Akrura and the boys travel to Mathura; They are met by a courtier (?); Akrura, Kamsa and courtier; Bottom row: Krishna and Balarama in Mathura kill the washerman and dress in new clothes; On the left and right wall projections: Varaha and Narasimha avataras.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Top row: Krishna and Balarama beat Kamsa’s men; Krishna and Balarama converse with Akrura (?); Bottom row: Kamsa in council; Krishna and Balarama confront Kuvalayapida, the mad elephant.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Top row: Krishna and Balarama kill Kuvalayapida, while Kamsa looks on; Bottom row: Kamsa instructs his prize fighters, Chanura and Mustika to kill the youths: A fight ensues; Krishna and Balarama emerge victorious.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Top row: Kamsa sends his prize fighters to kill Krishna and Balarama; the youths kill them; Bottom row: Krishna slays Kamsa; Guards attack Krishna and Balarama; Krishna steps on Kamsa’s body; The courtiers celebrate his victory; On the wall projections on the left and the right: Narasimha and Vamana avataras and fly-whisk bearers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 1, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, damaged by splashes of withewash
Description: Top and bottom rows: After the wedding celebrations Vasudeva Devaki prepare to go away and Kamsa accompanies them; The departure of the newly weds.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, west wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, damaged by splashes of withewash
Description: Top row: Kamsa hears a voice from heaven, forecasting his death by the eighth son of the couple and tries to kill Devaki; Bottom row: Kamsa, Vasudeva and Devaki in a chariot surrounded by their retinue.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, west wall
Date: First half of the 18th century, damaged by splashes of withewash
Description: Row 1: Vasudeva and Devaki in their apartment; Row 2: Vasudeva hands his first born son to Kamsa; Vasudeva; Devaki and a baby; Row 3: Narada visits Kamsa; Kamsa armed with a whip threatens a group of persons; He throws Devaki and Vasudeva in prison; Row 4: Kamsa kills a baby; Kamsa is lustrated(?); Devaki hands a baby over to Kamsa.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, west wall, north corner
Date: First half of the 18th century, damaged by splashes of withewash
Description: Row 1: Kamsa kills Devaki’s children; Row 2: Kamsa kills further three children of Devaki and Vasudeva; Vishnu and Lakshmi seated on Shesha surrounded by devotees; Row 3: Devaki and Vasudeva; Devaki’s pregnancy; Nanda and Rohini; Rohini gives birth to Balarama; the gods worship Vishnu in Devaki’s womb; Row 4: Devaki gives birth to Krishna; the baby lies in her arms; Vishnu manifests himself to his parents; Krishna in the cradle; Devaki entrusts Krishna to Vasudeva.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, north wall, west corner
Date: First half of the 18th century
Description: Top row: Vasudeva, carries baby Krishna in his arms, escorted by Shesha; The Yamuna parts before them and they arrive at Nanda’s house in Gokul; Vasudeva enters the lying-in chamber substitutes Yashoda’s daughter with Krishna; Bottom row: Vasudeva and the baby girl return to Mathura; Vasudeva and Devaki deliver her to Kamsa and when he is on the verge of killing her she flies to the sky revealing that Krishna is alive; Kamsa releases Vasudeva and Devaki; Kamsa holds a meeting with his ministers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, north wall
Date: First half of the 18th century
Description: Row 1: Hearing of the birth of a son, Nanda consults the Brahmins; He takes a bath and purifies himself; Row 2: Nanda and Yashoda consult the astrologers, gift cows and grains to the Brahmins; the gopas bring gifts; Row 3: Rituals for the new-born Krishna and Balarama in the arms of their mothers; Nanda and the gopas travel to Mathura to pay Kamsa’s annual tributes; Row 4: Nanda and Vasudeva(?) before Kamsa; conversation between Vasudeva and Nanda; Nanda and Yashoda.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 2, north wall
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