Book illustrating the Ramayana

ca. 1850

In a parabaik (a Burmese folding book), a story’s scenes are chronologically presented side-by-side without any visual dividers. This parabaik unfolds the Ramayana narrative, with brief captions in Burmese at the bottom to aid the viewer. This section shows the moment when Ravana calls into battle his demon army, who are depicted in green, to seek vengeance for the death of his son Akshay. The opposing side is depicted in white tones. Ravana’s other son, Meghand, engages in a fight with Hanuman, who was responsible for his brother’s demise.

Ink and color on paper

21 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. (53.98 x 20.96 cm)

Overall h.: 21 1/4 in.

Overall w.: 208 in.

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

57.132

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view beginning July 28, 2022].

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM