The Monkey King Vali's Funeral Pyre: Illustrated folio from a dispersed Ramayana series 1770 - 1790

Nainsukh, the master painter from the north Indian kingdom of Guler, created this watercolor depicting the funeral pyre of Vali, the monkey king, from the Ramayana. This image encapsulates a pivotal moment in the epic, where social order and dharma are visually contested. The scene teems with symbolic weight as the monkey king's death raises questions about justice and the roles of gods and men. Painted in the late 18th century, it reflects the cultural and religious milieu of the Punjab Hills, with its detailed naturalism and dramatic composition. The funerary pyre itself becomes a stage upon which the narrative unfolds. The painting invites us to consider the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production. It highlights the intricate relationship between art, religion, and society in 18th-century India. By consulting historical texts and religious commentaries, we can fully appreciate how Nainsukh’s image invites us to reflect on the meaning of dharma and the public role of art.