Rumal with Scenes from the Ramayana

Rumal with Scenes from the Ramayana

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In the foothill kingdoms of Himachal Pradesh, in northern India, rumals (Hindi for handkerchief) were decorated as presentation cloths. No more so than at the court in Chamba, where a tradition of silk embroidery developed. The majority of Chamba rumals depict scenes celebrating the life of Vishnu in his avatars (divine appearances on earth) as Krishna and as Rama. These embroideries served as covering cloths during the presentation of offerings and gifts. Here, the principal events of the Ramayana epic are presented in synoptic form. At the upper right, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana bid farewell to Rama's mother before their exile in the forest. The middle scene depicts Ravana, disguised as an ascetic, attempting to seduce Sita in the forest while her husband is hunting a golden deer sent by Ravana as a diversion. Sita is abducted by Ravana and next seen imprisoned in his palace on Lanka (lower left). Finally, Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and the monkey and bear armies cross Nala's bridge to Lanka and advance on Ravana's fortress, slaying Ravana. Returning to the center of the embroidery, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana depart in triumph, carried on palanquins.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.