“DAWN OF RAM RAJYA”

In the Indian Epic Ramayana, after his 14 years in exile, Lord Ram returns to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita and brother Laxman. The dark nights were about to end and Ayodhya was preparing for a new dawn in its history.

Queen Kaikeyi had desired her son Bharat to become the King of Ayodhya. But out of filial loyalty, he forsakes the throne leaving Ayodhya altogether and governing from an ashram (hermitage) in Nandigram on the outskirts of Ayodhya for those 14 years that Ram was in exile placing Lord Ram’s “Charan Paduka”(Ancient Indian Footwear) in his stead. His wife Mandavi was living with the rest of the family members at the palace.  

In my painting, I have shown both Bharat and his queen Mandavi in a deep sense of relief on the announcement of Lord Ram’s return to his kingdom and take over the reins of the throne which he has fully protected on his behalf. The earthy tone of his open safa (turban) in green and beige ready to be tied on Lord Ram on his auspicious return symbolically represents agriculture and the soil of the blessed land. The “Awadhi Sirpeich”(head jewel) lying on the turban represents their deep desire to welcome their king in full regalia. The rays in the background depict the dawn of a new era and the splashing of the water symbolically represents the anticipatory excitement in people's hearts for Lord Ram's coronation. The atmosphere created here in my painting is of immense joy in celebration of the victory of truth over evil.

After years of leading a life away from her husband, she adorns herself with the beautiful peridot coronet and all the auspicious royal jewelry expresses her inner happiness on this reunion with her husband the prince of Ayodhya.

Location Inspired from:- The Stepwell at the Royal Orchard, Wankaner, Saurashtra, Gujarat.