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: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: Rishyashringa (Kalaikottu munivar), Vasishtha and other sages officiate at the putrakameshti yajna (ritual to obtain a son); The Yajnapurusha emerges from the flame carrying the bowl of payasa; Dasharatha divides the payasa among the queens; The pregnant queens and their attendants; Second row: The princes are trained in the martial arts; Third row: After killing Tataka Vishvamitra bestows upon Rama the magical weapons and teaches him how to use them; Fourth row: Janaka’s servants carry Shiva’s bow in the assembly hall.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: The midwife informs the king that the queens have given birth and she is rewarded; King Dasharatha bestows gifts on the Brahmins; The four babies are given a bath; Second row; Rama aims mud pellets at Kuni (Manthara); The four princes and their mothers; An usher announces the arrival of Vishvamitra; Vasishtha, Dasharatha and Sumantra welcome him; Third row: The princes perform their ablutions and then proceed to guard the ascetics’ yajna from the onslaught of Subahu and Maricha; Subahu is killed, Maricha propelled by an arrow into the sea; Vishvamitra and the sages praise the princes; Rama and Lakshmana sleep under the watchful gaze of Vishvamitra; Fourth row: Shiva’s bow lies at Rama’s feet while he pays homage to Janaka and his entourage; Rama breaks the bow into three pieces before the assembled court and the princes invited to the svayamvara (bride’s own choice of a husband) are dismayed at being defeated.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: The story of Rishyashringa (Kalaikottu munivar) seduced by the courtesans and taken to the Anga country where his arrival brings the rain and where he weds Shanta; Second row: Vasishtha teaches horse and elephant riding to Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna; Third row: Vishvamitra, Rama and Lakshmana cross the river and enter the forest; Rama kills the rakshasi Tataka.
Location: Tamil Nadu;Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: Vishvamitra and his charges arrive at the Ganges and are ferried across it; They enter a forest; Vishvamitra encourages Rama to kill Tataka; Second row: On the right: Janaka, Shatananda,Vishvamitra; Rama and Lakshmana. In the arch above the door, Vishvamitra and the princes before Janaka’s assembled court.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: Vishvamitra encourages Rama to kill Tataka; Her liberated soul ascends to heaven in a chariot; Vishvamitra, Indra and other gods praise the princes; The gandharvas scatter a rain of flower petals upon Rama and Lakshmana; The sage bestows the magical weapons upon Rama; Second row (left): Four servants; (right) Nine bearers carry Shiva’s bow.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: Vasishtha trains the princes in swordsmanship and archery; Second row: Indra and other gods, the gandharvas and Vishvamitra praise Rama for killing Tataka; Vishvamitra bestows the magical weapons upon Rama and teaches him how to use them; In the background, behind the lobed arch, the door to the darbar hall and murals depicting the wedding of the four princes.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: After performing their ablutions, Rama and Lakshmana protect the rishis’ yajna; They kill Subahu while Maricha, hit by an arrow, is propelled into the sea; The grateful rishis bless them; Second row: Rama and Lakshmana stand before Vishvamitra, Janaka and his courtiers; Shiva’s bow is at Rama’s feet; In the arch above the door: Rama breaks the bow into three pieces before the assembled court to the amazement and dismay of Sita’s suitors.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Top row: Rama and Lakshmana fight against Subahu and Maricha; Subahu is killed while Maricha hit by an arrow is propelled into the sea; The rishis bless the princes; They rest in an ashram under the watchful eye of Vishvamitra; Second row: Rama breaks the bow into three pieces before Janaka’s assembled court; The princes invited at Sita’s svayamvara (a ceremony in which the bride choses her husband) are dismayed at Rama’s victory.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: The rakshasi Tataka, armed with rocks and boulders confronts Rama and Lakshmana; Vishvamitra looks away.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Vishvamitra orders Rama and Lakshmana to kill the rakshasi Tataka.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Tataka’s death; A chariot conveys her liberated soul to heaven; Vishvamitra praises the princes; Indra, the gods, and the gandharvas celebrate their victory.
Location: Tamila Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
Date: mid-19th century
Description: Vishvamitra prepares Rama and Lakshmana to confront the rakshasi Tataka.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Bodinayakkanur
Positioning: Lakshmi Vilasam
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