The Ramayana is the flavour of the season in this Swiss city with ancient artworks depicting the mythological drama attracting a large audience in the first such exhibition.


On display at Rietberg Museum are some of the masterpieces predominantly from the Pahari School of Art.


Among the most splendid works on display are four folios belonging to a Persian translation of the Ramayana prepared during the reign of Moghul emperor Akbar (1556-1605).


"The work, created for the emperor's mother by the most respected painters of the time, is an excellent example of the fusion of the Persian and Indian artistic traditions," said Eberhard Fischer, the director of Rietberg museum.


But perhaps the highlights of the exhibition are the 16 scenes from the little Guler Ramayana (1775-80), comprising detailed and imaginative illustrations of the epic.


According to the organisers of the exhibition, "The Ramayana series created at the courts of the Rajasthani princes are notable for their striking use of colour and proto realism.

"They are a testament to the lively circulation of ideas among Indian painters."


Visitors can also watch a traditional puppet show from Karnataka by SA Krishnaiah and B Veerana.