'Rama Releases the Demon Spies Shuka and Sarana', is a painting by the unsung Pahari artist, Manaku of Guler, the brother of painter Nainsukh of Guler. Like Nainsukh and the rest of his artistically inclined family, he drew Pahari miniature paintings, mainly of religious significance. This very painting, from his 'Siege of Lanka' series, depicts the story of the same name from the Hindu text Ramayana. Manaku, in this painting and almost all of his other paintings, explores a relaxed but observant style of painting, paying special notice to natural landscapes. The artwork depicts the story of Shuka and Sarana, two of Ravana's spies who were sent to collect information on Rama's massive monkey army. As the story goes, they were caught by Vibhishana and brought in front of Rama to be put to death, but Rama the virtuous, let them go due to their envoy status. This painting showcases Shuka and Sarana reporting back to Ravana, left alive only due to Rama's kindness. The artwork, on careful observation, shows Pahari traits of softness, rhythm and intricate detail, as well as Manaku's celebrated precise workmanship. Its beauty lies in its continuous narrative, a long story put to art in a mesmerizing way only a seasoned artist like Manaku could have done. The painting 'Rama Releases the Demon Spies Shuka and Sarana', along with the whole of the 'Siege of Lanka' series thus, solidifies Manaku's status in history, as a master painter and proprietor of the Pahari style, as well as someone whose art went underappreciated during his time.
This painting is attributed to Manaku of Guler, one of the renowned artists of the Pahrai school. This painting depicts an event from the Ramayana. According to folklore, on the eve of the battle between Ravana and Rama, Ravana his spies Shuka and Sarana to check the valour of Rama's army. Vibhishana, Ravana's brother arrested the spies and brought them before Rama who then set them free. The vibrant hues used are a characteristic of the Pahari school. The composition is divided into two main sections - Ravana and the fort on the left and Rama and his army of monkeys and bears on the right.
