Observe the image and answer the following question.
What is the interesting feature of the way the animals are portrayed in this painting?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Fractional representation and hidden presence
Option (1) Realistic size and proportions — Incorrect. The wolf and the tiger are only half hidden in the heavy outgrowth, so their full size is never shown.
Option (2) Anthropomorphic characteristics — Incorrect. The animals are not given human features. They are wild animals that may be demons in disguise.
Option (3) Animals depicted in peaceful coexistence — Incorrect. The animals are stealthily prowling behind trees. They make the forest look full of ferocious animals.
Option (4) Fractional representation and hidden presence — Correct. Only parts of a wolf on the left and a tiger on the right are shown. This fractional representation adds mystery, as they may be demons in disguise.
NCERT (2026-27): “Basohli School …Another painting from the same set depicts Rama and Lakshmana accompanying sage Vishvamitra to the forest to defeat the demons, who would distress the hermits by disturbing their meditative practices and contaminating their rituals. An interesting feature of this painting is the representation of animals, stealthily prowling behind trees, half hidden in the heavy outgrowth. A clever fragmentary portrayal of a wolf on the left and a tiger on the right by the artist not only lends character to the forest as a thick impenetrable jungle, populated with ferocious animals hiding everywhere, but also adds an emotive value to the painting regarding the extraordinary courage of the two young princes. The fractional representation of animals adds mystery to the work as there is a possibility of them being demons in disguise.”
“Rama and Lakshmana following sage Vishvamitra to the forest, Bala Kanda, Shangri Ramayana 1680–1688, Raja Raghbir Singh Collection, Shangri, Kullu Valley, India” |
