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Details
- Place where the work was made
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Coromandel Coast
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India
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- natural dyes painted on cotton
- Dimensions
- 90.0 x 464.0 cm
- Credit
- Gift of Dr John Yu and Dr George Soutter 2005
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 169.2005
- Copyright
- Share
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About
Many large cloths depicting the major battle from the Indian epic, the Ramayana, when Prince Rama defeats the demon king Ravana and his army from the realm of Lanka, survive from Indonesia, in particular from Sulawesi and Bali. The Toraja people of Central Sulawesi kept such textiles stored in ceramic jars as sacred heirloom pieces that they termed "ma'a".
Most of these cloths follow the same composition as seen here: Rama and the multi-headed, multi-armed Ravana take centre stage. Behind Rama, preparing his bow, is his lifelong companion Laksmana and the monkey king, Hanuman, with his army of monkeys. Ravana is supported by ogres and small demons. The battle is in full swing, arrows flying everywhere, heads being cut off, figures wrestling, mutilated bodies and severed limbs littering the ground. The style of drawing and clothes indicate south Indian temple hangings as the source of inspiration.Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2006
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Exhibition history
Shown in 3 exhibitions
Symbols and Ceremonies: Indonesian Textile Traditions, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 13 Apr 2006–28 May 2006
Conversations through the Asian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Oct 2014–13 Mar 2016
Elemental, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 Jul 2022–2024
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Provenance
George Soutter and John Yu, pre 2005, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, purchased in Indonesia. Donated to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1998.