“Ram Setu” – A Painting from the Ramayana Series by Rounak Rai
Devotion Turned Into Architecture – A Bridge Between Faith and Action
In this dynamic composition titled “Ram Setu”, artist Rounak Rai brings to life one of the most miraculous and iconic episodes of the Ramayana — the construction of the bridge to Lanka by Ram’s vanar sena (monkey army). But beyond the surface of this divine feat, Rai explores collective devotion, unity of purpose, and the symbolic power of the written word.
The painting is divided into two contrasting emotional spaces:
On the left, we see Lord Ram and Lakshman — poised, focused, and surrounded by their army.
On the right, the ocean itself, personified as a deity, bows before Ram, hands joined in surrender. His body emerges from flowing white waves — serene yet submissive — a visual echo of nature responding to dharma.
But the most striking aspect is the mass of red figures — vanaras (monkey warriors), carrying huge stones inscribed with “राम” (Ram) above their heads. These aren’t ordinary stones; each one bears faith engraved into its very matter. The idea that the name of Ram itself makes the stones float becomes a literal and visual truth here.
Rounak Rai’s signature style is vividly present:
Repetition and rhythm — seen in the chorus of monkey warriors
Folk-inspired angular figures, each with simplified anatomy and bold gestures
Flat, vivid color blocks — red for intensity and labor, white for the divine ocean, green for the sacred text sky
Narrative Hindi text — flowing like waves across the top, reinforcing the oral tradition of the Ramayana
Rather than showing a miraculous act as magic, Rai’s composition emphasizes collective belief as strength. This is not just Ram’s miracle — it is a movement of devotion. The stones are heavy, yet lifted with joy. The sea is deep, yet humbled by purpose.
In “Ram Setu”, Rai paints not just a bridge to Lanka — he paints a bridge between word and world, between bhakti and karma. Through folk visual language, he transforms the divine story into an allegory for how community, intention, and faith can move even the elements.
This work stands as a poetic, political, and spiritual reminder — unity in dharma can build what even gods respect.
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