“Ram vs Parshuram” – A Contemporary Folk Reimagining by Rounak Rai
In his painting “Ram vs Parshuram”, celebrated Indian contemporary artist Rounak Rai presents a dynamic visual dialogue rooted in the Ramayana, where Lord Ram confronts the furious Parshuram after breaking the divine bow of Shiva during Sita’s swayamvar. The scene captures not just mythological conflict but emotional tension and spiritual undercurrents, rendered in Rai’s instantly recognizable signature style.
Rounak Rai’s art is distinguished by a unique fusion of folk and modernist expression. Here, he uses flat planes of color, bold black outlines, and layered narrative space—a hallmark of his evolving visual vocabulary that bridges traditional Indian storytelling with a contemporary graphic approach. The striking use of indigo, red, and white gives divine characters a timeless presence while also evoking Indian miniature and tribal art influences.
Parshuram’s aggressive stance contrasts with Ram’s composed poise, and Lakshman’s animated defense subtly draws viewers into the emotional texture of the moment. The background, with its symbolic sun and minimal landscape, adds a surreal atmosphere, while textual narration in Hindi enriches the painting with a layer of verbal storytelling, another consistent feature in Rai’s recent mythological works.
In this painting, Rai doesn’t merely depict a myth—he revives oral history with a modern visual idiom. He creates a space where folk iconography meets socio-cultural introspection, reflecting the eternal dialogue between dharma, ego, and humility.
As with many of his Ramayana-themed works, “Ram vs Parshuram” exemplifies how Rounak Rai reclaims mythology not as frozen tradition, but as a living, breathing conversation—one that continues to speak to modern viewers in deeply personal and visual terms
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