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Parasurama Attacks Kartavirya from the Ramayama

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Parasurama Attacks Kartavirya from the Ramayama

Artist Chamba School (Indian, ca. 1765-70)
Date1765-1770
Dimensions(Folio) H: 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); W: 10 1/4 in. (26 cm);
(Miniature) H: 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); W: 9 in. (22.9 cm)
MediumGouache heightened with gold and silver on paper.
ClassificationPaintings
Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
2005.281
Not on View
Collections
  • Paintings
Published ReferencesW.G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London, 1973, Chamba, no. 34, p.61Label TextWhat is going on here? This dramatic painting was part of an album illustrating the great Indian epic poem, the Ramayana. The scene depicted here tells the story of Parasurama, who is the ax-wielding 6th incarnation of the Hindu saviour deity, Vishnu. He is shown attacking Kartavirya, a king who had assaulted Parasurama’s father Jamadagni, and had stolen the family’s divine cow of plenty (Surabhi). Enraged, Parasurama attacks the thousand-armed Kartavirya, cutting off all of his limbs—no easy accomplishment!—before killing him.

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