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Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond

Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond, unspecified, 1745
Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond, unspecified, 1745

Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Folio 18 from the Chandana Malayagiri Varta illustrates two episodes from the legend of Ravana’s encounter with the vulture Jatayu.

About this work

History & Provenance

It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession-related reference 1968.

The folio dates to 1745 and is classified as a painting produced by an unidentified artist. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession-related reference 1968.108. The work entered the museum's holdings in 1968, as indicated by that accession number, though no further details of its earlier ownership chain, commission, or acquisition circumstances are documented in the available sources.

No information is provided regarding the manuscript's patronage, the circumstances under which it was commissioned, or any intermediate owners prior to its arrival at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The artwork is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. It was acquired by the museum in 1968 and assigned the accession number 1968.108. The piece is attributed to the artist Rikhaji and dates to 1745. The provided sources do not contain information regarding specific exhibitions where this folio has been displayed.

Overview

Folio 18 from the Chandana Malayagiri Varta illustrates two episodes from the legend of Ravana’s encounter with the vulture Jatayu. The upper register presents a woman in a red garment beside a bird‑like figure with wings, while the lower register shows a man in red hurling stones into the open mouth of a massive bird. Dark trees and a cloudy sky form the backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The composition narrates a moment from the Karamachand version of the Rama story, where Ravana defeats Jatayu by forcing stones into the creature’s beak. The upper scene likely depicts a preceding interaction between the queen and a divine or mythic bird, setting the emotional tone for the ensuing conflict depicted below.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a miniature manuscript style, the folio employs bold outlines and vivid pigments, especially reds and oranges that highlight the figures and surrounding flora. The ornamental border of orange blossoms frames the scenes, while the use of chiaroscuro in the trees and sky creates depth within the limited space of the page.

Context

The work belongs to a broader corpus of narrative art that visualized episodes from the Ramayana and related epics for elite audiences. Such manuscripts combined literary text with elaborate illustrations, serving both devotional and educational purposes in royal or aristocratic circles.

Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth, folio 18 (recto) from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand
Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth, folio 18 (recto) from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand

Artist & collection

VISUALLY SIMILAR

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SAME SUBJECT

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond?

Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond?

Folio 18 from a Chandana Malayagiri Varta (Story of King Chandana and Queen Malayagiri) of Karamachand: Ravana battles the great vulture Jatayu and defeats him by throwing stones in his mouth (recto); Jatayu approaches Rama and Lakshmana who are wond is associated with Mughal Painting.