The canvas painting of “Coronation of Rama” depicts the triumphant conclusion to the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Rama, along with his loyal brother Lakshmana and their army, defeat the demon king Ravana and rescue Rama’s wife Sita from captivity.
However, due to her time spent in Ravana’s captivity, Rama questions Sita’s virtue and forces her to undergo a trial by fire in order to prove her innocence. Once she successfully passes this test, Rama is crowned king of Kosala with his capital at Ayodhya and they live happily ever after.
This painting captures the victory and joy of this momentous occasion as well as the underlying doubt and struggle for faithful love. It serves as both a celebration of Rama’s triumph and a reflection on the complexities of trust and loyalty in relationships. The colors are bright and celebratory, yet there is a sense of tension in the way Rama and Sita are positioned opposite each other, with Sita surrounded by flames.
This painting captures the conflicting emotions of this moment – the joy of victory tempered by doubt and uncertainty. It is a complex and nuanced work that reflects the complexity of human relationships.
