What This Image Shows

This early 18th-century folio presents one of the Ramayana’s most emotionally charged moments: Sita imprisoned in Ashoka Vatika, the sacred grove in Lanka where she was held after her abduction by Ravana.

Here, Sita is seated on a low yellow platform, her posture calm yet resolute. Surrounding her are the demonesses (rakshasis) assigned to torment her into submission. But unlike later, more ferocious portrayals in Indian art, the Shangri Ramayana envisions them in semi-human, village-woman forms - expressive, exaggerated, yet oddly relatable.

Their gestures are animated: one points a warning finger, another leans in with mock persuasion, others watch with restless curiosity. Sita’s gaze remains unwavering - an icon of dharma standing firm amidst chaos.

The garden itself, Ashoka Vatika, is rendered in a lush tapestry of stylized trees: willows, cypresses, flowering plants, and banana leaves - a world both earthly and enchanted. The bright yellow ground intensifies the emotional heat of the moment while the controlled, evenly spaced composition reflects the calm at Sita’s center.

What Is the Shangri Ramayana?

The Shangri Ramayana is a rare, lesser-known illustrated manuscript tradition from the early 1700s, emerging from the Pahari courts of the Himalayan foothills (regions like Guler, Mandi, and Chamba).

Its defining traits include:

• Style III composition - bold color fields, generously spaced figures, direct storytelling

• Simplified emotional clarity over ornate detail

• Unusual interpretations of Rakshasas, forests, palaces, and celestial beings

• Narrative immediacy, often depicting single moments with theatrical intensity

The series is treasured by scholars for its originality and its daring visual reinterpretation of Valmiki’s epic.

How Old Is This Painting?

• Date: Early 18th century (c. 1700–1730)

• Region: Northern India, Pahari School

• Material: Natural pigments on handmade paper

• Series: Shangri Ramayana (Style III)

Each folio is a window into a time when sacred storytelling and courtly art merged into vivid visual scripture.

Story of the Scene

After Ravana abducts Sita and brings her to Lanka, she is confined in Ashoka Vatika, a garden said to be filled with wish-fulfilling trees, divine fragrances, and celestial blossoms.

But this beauty is clouded by fear and sorrow. Ravana assigns demonesses to guard her - ordering them to pressure Sita into accepting him.

This folio depicts one such moment:

• The demonesses surround Sita, scolding and coaxing her.

• Their varied skin tones, disproportioned features, and animated gestures reflect their otherworldly nature.

• Sita sits firm, her hand raised in refusal.

Despite captivity, her strength and dignity radiate, becoming a spiritual victory long before Rama arrives.

Artwork Specifications

• Print Size: 16×24 inches

• Paper: 350 GSM museum-grade matte archival stock

• Series: Shangri Ramayana, Style III

• Print Quality: High-resolution reproduction with original pigment fidelity

Why You’ll Love It

This artwork is a powerful portrait of inner courage.
Rather than focusing on fear or despair, it highlights Sita’s unshakable resolve. The Rakshasis - intense yet softened by folk stylization - surround her but cannot break her focus.

It’s a visual meditation on:

• resilience in adversity

• loyalty as spiritual strength

• feminine dignity under pressure

The unique color palette, stylized trees, and expressive storytelling make this folio a standout among Ramayana art traditions.

Order Now

Bring home the quiet strength of Sita in Ashoka Vatika - a rare moment from the Shangri Ramayana captured in its boldest, most emotionally resonant style.
Perfect for meditation rooms, cultural collections, and walls that honor devotion and resilience.