Hanuman (Hanoman), monkey hero of the Ramayana
Place of Origin
- Indonesia
Dateperhaps 1800-1900
MaterialsWood, cloth and mixed media
DimensionsH. 26 1/2 in x W. 8 1/2 in x D. 2 5/8 in, H. 67.3 cm x W. 21.6 cm x D. 48.9 cm
Credit LineFrom The Mimi and John Herbert Collection
Object numberF2000.85.10
DepartmentSoutheast Asian Art
ClassificationsTheatrical Arts
On View
Not on viewCharacters from the Epic Ramayana
The plays of Indonesian puppet theater (wayang) are largely derived from two Indian epics, the Ramayana (Epic of Rama) and the Mahabharata (Great Chronicle of the Bharata Dynasty). In both the Indian and the Indonesian version of the story, Rama, the seventh incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, descends to earth to protect it from the demon Ravana. The story revolves around Ravana's kidnapping of Rama's wife, Sita, and the efforts of Rama and his monkey army to retrieve her.
Rama is exiled and leaves his realm with his wife and his brother Lakshmana to live in the forest. The female demon Shurpanakha, Ravana's sister, learns of their presence and tries to seduce both Rama and Lakshmana. After being rejected, Shurpanakha tells Ravana of Sita's whereabouts, and he plans to kidnap her. Using a golden deer, Ravana lures Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Then, disguised as a beggar, Ravana approaches Sita. Although she is protected by a magic circle, she reaches outside it and Ravana snatches her up. On the back of his birdlike mount Wilmana, Ravana flies with Sita to his island of Lanka. The heroic bird Jatayus, an ally of Rama, witnesses the abduction and tries to save Sita, but is fatally wounded.
From the dying Jatayus, Rama learns of the Sita's abduction to Lanka. He eventually enlists the aid of a monkey army to help him find his wife. Led by the heroic white monkey Hanuman, the army builds a causeway to the island. Rama and his monkey troops meet Ravana and his armies. The monkeys must battle Ravana's brother (Kumbhakarna, a giant) and son (Indrajita), before Ravana himself is finally killed.
The plays of Indonesian puppet theater (wayang) are largely derived from two Indian epics, the Ramayana (Epic of Rama) and the Mahabharata (Great Chronicle of the Bharata Dynasty). In both the Indian and the Indonesian version of the story, Rama, the seventh incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, descends to earth to protect it from the demon Ravana. The story revolves around Ravana's kidnapping of Rama's wife, Sita, and the efforts of Rama and his monkey army to retrieve her.
Rama is exiled and leaves his realm with his wife and his brother Lakshmana to live in the forest. The female demon Shurpanakha, Ravana's sister, learns of their presence and tries to seduce both Rama and Lakshmana. After being rejected, Shurpanakha tells Ravana of Sita's whereabouts, and he plans to kidnap her. Using a golden deer, Ravana lures Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Then, disguised as a beggar, Ravana approaches Sita. Although she is protected by a magic circle, she reaches outside it and Ravana snatches her up. On the back of his birdlike mount Wilmana, Ravana flies with Sita to his island of Lanka. The heroic bird Jatayus, an ally of Rama, witnesses the abduction and tries to save Sita, but is fatally wounded.
From the dying Jatayus, Rama learns of the Sita's abduction to Lanka. He eventually enlists the aid of a monkey army to help him find his wife. Led by the heroic white monkey Hanuman, the army builds a causeway to the island. Rama and his monkey troops meet Ravana and his armies. The monkeys must battle Ravana's brother (Kumbhakarna, a giant) and son (Indrajita), before Ravana himself is finally killed.
approx. 1960
perhaps 1800-1900
approx. 1970
approx. 1960
perhaps 1800-1900
approx. 1950
perhaps 1800-1900
perhaps 1800-1900