The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | The Metropolitan Museum, New York |
Manaku’s painting brings to life one of the most exciting moments in the Ramayana when Angada boldly enters the fortress of Ravana and steals his crown. What’s even more interesting about the picture is the sense of movement that runs through the entire scene. Angada appears in different places of the fortress, so the viewer can almost follow him while he is jumping, fighting demons, taking the crown and returning to Rama. Walls, buildings, figures, and the crowded fortress evoke a sense of chaos and adventure. The crown itself is more than a mere prized object. It is a symbol of Ravana’s power and authority and the removal of it is a symbolic sign of his rule starting to fall apart. This episode is also interesting because the story is not found in Valmiki’s Ramayana. It shows how artists and storytellers could adapt the epic and add new details to make its message more powerful. The painting remains unfinished in places, but that does not detract from its charm. Rather, the visible brushwork creates a sense of spontaneity, and makes the energy of Angada’s adventure more evident.