Home / Sunday-mid-day / Article / Deewar pe Ramayana: New book captures the celebrated epic through unique art on walls of forts and palaces

Deewar pe Ramayana: New book captures the celebrated epic through unique art on walls of forts and palaces

Updated On: 08 November, 2026 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMD

Long before the Ramayana was captured on the big screen, the tale lived on in paintings on walls and ceilings of palaces and forts. Hilde Lauwaert’s new book captures these murals and frescoes from as far back as the 17th century, depicting gods and ancient heroes

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Mahansar, Sone ki Dukan Haveli, ca. 1850: Upper left  of the image: The abduction of Sita; lower left: The meeting of Rama and Lakshmana with Hanuman and the death of Vali; centre left: Crossing the ocean; right: The battle between the two armies, with Rama and Ravana in their chariots.

Mahansar, Sone ki Dukan Haveli, ca. 1850: Upper left  of the image: The abduction of Sita; lower left: The meeting of Rama and Lakshmana with Hanuman and the death of Vali; centre left: Crossing the ocean; right: The battle between the two armies, with Rama and Ravana in their chariots.

Chirawa, Kakrania kuan (well), one of the four chhatris, ca. 1890: Upper left of the image: Sita in the garden of Ashoka. Hanuman brings Rama’s ring and destroys the garden; centre: Mandodari, Ravana’s most important wife, with servants in the palace of Lanka; below: Women draw water from the well, while Ravana’s minions prepare Hanuman’s tail so that they can set it alight.Chirawa, Kakrania kuan (well), one of the four chhatris, ca. 1890: Upper left of the image: Sita in the garden of Ashoka. Hanuman brings Rama’s ring and destroys the garden; centre: Mandodari, Ravana’s most important wife, with servants in the palace of Lanka; below: Women draw water from the well, while Ravana’s minions prepare Hanuman’s tail so that they can set it alight.

Jhalawar, City Palace, late 19th–early 20th century: The meeting of Rama and Bharata, with Lakshmana (left) and rishi Vishvamitra (right)Jhalawar, City Palace, late 19th–early 20th century: The meeting of Rama and Bharata, with Lakshmana (left) and rishi Vishvamitra (right)

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