National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra is showcasing “The story of Rama” through 101 Pahari miniature paintings completed between 17th-19th centuries, till August 23.
Beginning with a 19th century Kangra style painting of Narada requesting Valmiki to write the Ramayana story; this exhibition includes 18th century Chamba style painting of Sita abduction by Ravana, 19th century Kangra style painting of Ravana proposing to Sita in the Ashok vatika, c 1780 Guler style painting of Rama-Ravana battle, c 1730 Basholi style portrait of Rama, c 1800 Mandi style painting of the coronation procession, King Janaka carrying infant Sita, etc. Entry is free of charge
Applauding NGA for exhibiting Rama’s story through Pahari paintings, US-based Hindu Spiritual Leader Rajan Zed, said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth.
Local hindu groups have requested various art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d’Orsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world.
NGA possesses over 160,000 works of art in its permanent collection, including Hindu art. Dr. Gerard Vaughan is the Director while Allan Myers is the Chairman of NGA Council.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, but more referred to as a ‘way of life’ and has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
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