In this painting, we see the famous scene from the Mahabharata where Draupadi is harassed by Keechaka at the court of Virat. Despite being married to the five Pandava brothers, Draupadi is alone and helpless as Keechaka tries to force himself on her. Desperate for help, she turns to Virat but he seems oblivious to her pleas.
Meanwhile, her husband Dharmaputra (disguised as the court brahmin Kanaka) looks on with a mix of anger and pain etched on his face. This depiction captures the tension and drama of this pivotal moment in the epic tale, leaving viewers to wonder how the characters will respond and what consequences their actions will bring.
It also serves as a reminder of the pervasive issue of sexual harassment and assault that exists even in ancient texts and cultures. This painting thus provides food for thought for viewers who are willing to look beyond the surface level story and dig deeper into its hidden meanings and implications.
