The correct answer is Option 4- At Chitrakut Rama meets members of his family
The painting 'At Chitrakut Rama meets members of his family' of Ramayana by Guman, made between 1740 and 1750, is a classic example of a continuous narrative. Plain looking huts (parna kutir) raised with basic material, such as mud, wood and green leaves set in the woods on the foothills and surrounded by groves establish a typical rural setting, where this episode of Ramayana unfolds. Artist Guman begins the narrative from the left and ends it on the right. According to the Ramayana, Bharat was away when Rama was sent to exile. After the passing away of Dashratha, overcome with grief and filled with remorse, Bharat along with the three mothers, sage Vasishtha and courtiers visits Rama to persuade him to return to Ayodhya. Set in Chitrakut, the story in the painting begins with the three mothers along with the wives of the princes proceeding towards the thatched dwellings. On seeing the mothers, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita bow down in reverence. Bereaved Kaushalya rushes to her son Rama and gathers him in her arms. Rama is, then, seen respectfully greeting the other two mothers —Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He, then, dutifully acknowledges the two sages and sits down talking to them. When the sage breaks the news of Dashratha’s death, Rama is seen collapsing in anguish. Sumanta is seen devotedly standing behind the sages. The three mothers and the wives of Lakshmana, Bharat and Shatrughana are depicted talking to Sita. The narrative ends with the group exiting the picture frame on the right. Each character of the story in the painting is labeled. A verse, describing the same, is also inscribed on the upper portion of the painting. This painting is in the collection of National Museum, New Delhi. |
