The Cleveland Museum of Art has opened "Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the ‘Shangri’ Ramayana," an exhibition featuring 40 rare paintings from a 1700s royal commission. These works, which depict the life of the Hindu deity Rama, have been reunited from 12 different lenders after being dispersed globally for centuries. The display is augmented by digital stations that animate over 100 additional paintings to illustrate the narrative's themes of virtue and heroism.
This exhibition is significant for showcasing new research into the collaborative painting systems of the Pahari valley kingdoms and the unique patronage of the alpine Indian region. By bringing together dispersed folios from the "Shangri" Ramayana, the museum provides a rare opportunity to view the series' diverse stylistic evolution as a cohesive, cinematic narrative. Additionally, the show highlights the museum's growing prominence in Indian art following its recent acquisition of works from the prestigious Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Ralph Benkaim Collection.