Ten-headed demon king of the island kingdom of Lanka, Ravana is a complicated and flawed character. He is at the same time a superb scholar, a capable ruler, a terrifying warrior, a lusty trickster, and the ultimate villain.
Son of the wind god Vayu, devotee and ally of Rama. The monkey Hanuman has superhuman powers such as the abilities to shapeshift and leap far distances. He plays several important roles in the rescue of Sita.
The younger half-brother of Rama, and his most trusted ally. Quick to anger but unquestionable in his loyalty, Lakshmana also accompanies Rama on his forest sojourn.
The daughter of Janaka, king of Videha, born from a furrow in the earth. Steadfast in her devotion to her husband, Rama, she refuses to abandon him in his exile, and joins him in the forest. She is sometimes understood to be an incarnation of…
The eldest son of King Dasharatha and Kausalya. Rama represents the paragon of kingship: rightful heir, master of the bow, temperate, and beloved by his citizens. Many paintings depict Rama with blue skin, indicating his divinity.
After his sister is mutilated, Ravana plots revenge in the form an elaborate scheme to kidnap Sita. Ravana’s brother Maricha takes the form of a golden deer and bounds past Rama’s hermitage. Sita requests her prince to kill the deer, so Rama…
Besieged in Lanka and on the verge of defeat, Ravana enlists the help of two demon allies, his brother, Kumbhakarna, and the illusionist Kalanemi.
The upper scene depicts Ravana with nine human heads and a tenth donkey head promising the demon…