Ramayana-Themed Madhubani Painting from India, "Ram Sita in Chirtrakoot"

Amid the green refuge of Chirtrakoot, Rama and Sita live in tranquility and equilibrium, free from the vices of the kingdom they chose to leave behind. United in their life of exile, they gaze into the Mandakini River below, abounding with flowers, fish and birds. Immediately to the left of Sita, two songbirds mimic the relationship of the deities. Appearing without shadows or perspective, this Madhubani painting achieves a perception of space through the scale of the distant fish and distribution of assets, namely the flowers in the high background, suggesting a steep landscape, backed up by a dividing line to the left of Sita, that hints towards rolling hills over the riverbank.

Indian artist Bharti Dayal triumphs in her depiction of both Hindu deities, capturing the essence of the Goddess of beauty and the embodiment of dharma with her arrangement of flowing shapes and naturally occurring colours. Dedicated to modernizing one of the most iconic painting styles of India, Dayal creates this painting drawing on experience gained throughout her portfolio numbering in the thousands.

"Madhubani paintings are in fact a simplistic manifestation of the philosophical heights achieved by Indian civilization for the universal power of love, longing and peace; the quest of all beings," Dayal says.