The Army on March : with Hanuman Carrying Rama on His Shoulders Across the Ocean

After returning from Lanka Hanuman gave a detailed description of the city of Lanka to Rama and Sugriva. On hearing Hanuman's account, Rama expressed his firm decision to reach Lanka to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita. A bridge was constructed on the sea to reach Lanka. The Rama's army of monkeys and bears was full of enthusiasm to cross the sea to see the golden Lanka of Ravana. Hanuman is shown carrying Rama on his shoulders and Lakshmana is also seated on the strong shoulders of Angad. All are in hurry to reach Lanka, an army of vanaras moving with Sugriva and valiant Jamvan and many other warriors of Rama's army. All are shown carrying their respective weapons. In this painting from Malwa, the happiness on the faces of monkeys and beers is painted in such a manner that there reflects no fear of war on their faces. As if not going for war but for celebration, the mood of all monkeys is full of jubilation. The painting is broadly divided into three parts - on the upper part the sky is shown as a blue stripe. The vanara army is crossing the bridge against the dark red background. And, aquatic flowers are shown in the foreground in the blue waters of the sea. The painting has an inscription.