Sarada Ukil was a well-known artist in the twentieth century India. He was a student of the prominent artist Abanindranath Tagore (of the Bengal school). Subsequently Ukil also became one of the pioneers of the school. His artworks are known for their almost dreamlike rendering of figures with carful brush strokes. painting in pale and sentimental colour washes in his art.
This artwork dated to 1938 is a brilliant example of his artistic excellence. Portrayed here is a scene from the Hindu Epic, the Ramayana. Rama is shown in a process of hunting the golden deer Maricha who was earlier a yaksha. Cursed by Sage Agastya, he later turned into a rakshasa or a demon and aided Ravana by transforming into a golden deer in order to abduct Sita. The story of Maricha played an important role in the abduction of Sita. Sita had asked Rama to hunt the golden deer. Maricha led Rama far away from the hermitage, and then stopped at a grassland. When Rama shot it with an arrow, seized the dying Maricha cried out for Lakshmana and Sita in Rama’s voice. Sita fell prey to his act and despite Lakshmana’s warning asked him to search for Rama. When Sita was alone, Ravana appeared at the hermitage in the ruse of a sage and abducted Sita.
Here, Ukil has artfully used sift and muted hues of blues, greens and yellows to depict the two figures. The background is kept relatively plain and simple, which allows the viewer’s attention to focus on the figures. The depiction of one the most central and vital parts of the epic has been rendered beautifully by Ukil. The artwork and its techniques are also highly reminiscent of the Bengal school of Art.
The painting represents the famous episode in the Ramayana in which Rama follows the golden deer, Maricha, after Sita asks him to capture it. To me, the scene is interesting because it looks calm and peaceful even though the viewer knows that this moment will lead to a major turning point in the story. Rama's focused posture and the vulnerable deer create a feeling of pursuit, while the soft green and earthy surroundings make the scene appear almost dreamlike. I think this contrast between the beautiful appearance of the deer and the danger hidden behind it is especially meaningful. Maricha's transformation represents deception, and the attractive golden deer becomes a means of drawing Rama away from Sita. The painting therefore captures not only a mythological event but also the idea that appearances can be misleading. Ukil's delicate wash technique further gives the scene a quiet, almost poetic quality.
