The painting depicts an extreme and violent battle in the Mahabharata, one of ancient India's great epics. Right in the center, two war chariots collide headon, causing the horses to rear up wildly in midair. Like a warrior on the right flies straight back out of his chariot where he's struck with an arrow, you feel violence in the moment. Nearby, other soldiers battle on foot. Some draw their bows to fire, others raise their swords and shields in attack or defense. The artist portrayed the sense of movement for each person and animal with delicate ink lines and wonderfully soft shading. Except for the war itself, this documentation wouldn´t be complete without a heavy atmosphere combined with menacing looking backdrops like snake-shaped trees and ratty rock peaks. Flanked at each end and written in faded Persian script is the title naming all three brothers Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva as they face their opposing champions. It is a powerful glimpse of an old story, centering on the primal fury of war.
The illustration on the folio from the Razm Namah manuscript shows Sahadeva, Nakula and Yudhisthira fighting against the Kauravas in war.
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By: Krishna Das
The image relates to the Razmnama, the Persian illustration of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. The focus of the picture is placed on one of the most thrilling and violent moments of the battle. The two chariots run rapidly against each other, while horses lift their legs high and the warrior (who is shot in the shoulder) falls backward. The infantrymen draw the bowstrings and, raising their arms, block the blows of opponents’ spears and swords. With thin lines and shadows, the author qualitatively conveys the impression of rapid movement of both people and horses. The picture’s setting is dominated by rocky and craggy hills and a snake-shaped tree. The author also uses the contrast of warm colors for the characters’ clothing and shadows to heighten the dramatic effect. Distant Persian script identifies the image as depicting the Mahabharata heroes, Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva, fighting against the enemies. Overall, the picture perfectly combines the artistic styles of both countries, highlighting the epic nature of battles and the primitive ferocity of the fight.
