The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series 1715 - 1735

Manaku painted this dynamic composition from the Siege of Lanka series around the mid-18th century with opaque watercolor on paper. Immediately striking is the radiant, almost overwhelming presence of yellow—a hue that dominates the architecture of Ravana's fortress. This vibrant color provides not only a visual anchor but sets a stage for the unfolding drama. The composition employs a flattened perspective, characteristic of traditional Indian painting, which allows for multiple perspectives to be represented simultaneously. We see monkey warriors scaling the fortress walls, engaged in a chaotic yet meticulously organized scene of conflict and thievery. The figures, rendered in dynamic poses, convey a sense of urgency and action. Here, the very structure of the painting—its use of color, line, and form—creates a narrative space that transcends mere illustration. The painting destabilizes a singular viewpoint, inviting the viewer to engage with a multifaceted representation of the epic’s narrative. It serves not only as a visual spectacle but also as a complex meditation on power, perspective, and the disruptive potential inherent in the act of representation.