Ramayana revisited

The fascinating story of the Ramayana is regaling a vastly different audience in a country far away from its native India, as National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra opened an exhibition of vintage miniature paintings that strings together a grand narrative of the ancient epic.

Titled, The story of Rama: Indian Miniatures from the National Museum, New Delhi, the three-month show features 101 paintings created between the 17th and 19th centuries, and is the first major initiative under a recently-inked pact on culture between India and Australia.

NGA Director Gerard Vaughan said that the exhibition of 'vibrant and exquisite Indian miniature paintings is important' for the gallery. “It forms part of our commitment to share the art and rich cultural heritage of India with all Australians,” he added, speaking about the finely-detailed paintings featuring a rich diversity of regional styles. Selected from the collection of National Museum (NM) of over 17,000 miniatures, the largest in the world, the NGA exhibition is open till August 23, and the entry is free for the public.

NM Director-General Sanjiv Mittal, who was present at the function, expressed delight on behalf of his country, upon sharing with the Australians, the story of Ramayana.

NM curator Vijay Kumar Mathur, who has selected the 101 paintings in a chronological progression capturing the story of the Ramayana, revealed that the collection had been pooled in from India’s northern, central and eastern territories. 

“These miniatures represent art from various schools of Mughal, Deccan, Pahari, Rajasthan and Central India. They stand for a matured movement that colourfully visualises the spirit of the Ramayana,” he expressed.