Ravana, Sita, Wilmana, Jatayu
measurements: 51,5x15,5x12 cm
weight: 2870 gr
I love the deep brown, heavy tropical wood. No wonder all the carving lines are accurate and the surface is as smooth as you can think of.
This again is a good example for what has been a souvenir in the early days: high quality. Such a difference to how souvenirs are made today.
Some tips of the wings broke in the past and were fixed with some kind of superglue. The glue was very visible when I got the carving. But it nearly disappeared when the carving was oiled again. Lucky me.
The story behind is out of the Ramayana epic. Ravana sitting on his Vaharna named Wilmana kidnapped Sita, the love of Rama. On his task to get Sita back Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Yatayu, king of vultures. Yatayu laid on the ground dying, missing one of his wings. This brave giant bird fought Ravana in the air when he saw Sita in danger. He paid with his life for trying to save her.
That's one of my favorite parts of the Ramayana epic because it's full of bravery and kindness, action and sadness. When will Hollywood start a Ramayana film version?
Ravana, Sita,Jatayu, Rama and Lakshmana
Sita, Ravana and Jatayu are in the foreground of this image. On the back, almost incidentally, Rama and Lakshmana can still be seen, who are in search of Sita.
The statue is presumably made of sandalwood. At least it had the scent typical of sandalwood when I received the carving.
The photos give the real, very great impression only conditionally. Unfortunately, the blade of the short sword that Ravana holds in his hand and with which he threatens Sita is missing.