TALE OF HANUMA?N’S ENCOUNTER WITH KA?LANE?MI: GLEANINGS THROUGH LITERATURE AND ART

Abstract

Hanuman is well known throughout India and beyond its frontiers as the saviour of the distressed, as the epitome of the great strength, courage and as a loyal, faithful, and a staunch devotee of Ra?ma and as the hero of the epic, Ra?ma?ya?a. He is represented in the literature and visual arts as a great leader of the monkey army who helped Ra?ma on different occasions such as in the search for Si?ta who was abducted by the demon-king Ra?va?a deceitfully from Pañchavat?i in the absence of Ra?ma and his brother; in the battle against Ra?va?a and in bringing back Lakshman? a to consciousness when he swooned in the battle-field, by bringing the medicinal herbs from Dro??a?dri mountains etc., Because of the multifarious activities performed by Hanuma?n that helped Ra?ma, very soon he became not only the favourite hero of the public but also an individual god of great importance for whom several temples or shrines were built all over India. In South India particularly during the medieval times, he became the central hero of vernacular literature, especially folk stories, and he is well represented in the temple sculptures. Although Va?lmi?ki’sRa?ma?ya?a was popular in its usage we find its translations in different South Indian languages with some additions and omissions. Owing to the interpolations in Va?lmi?ki’s work and the composition of Ra?ma?ya?a in different vernaculars, prince Ra?ma, son of Da?aratha came to be interpreted as an incarnation of the god Vishn? u and accordingly we find the portrayal of the human-like figure of Ra?ma holding a bow and an arrow in his two hands along with the other incarnation forms of Vish?u in temple sculptures. On the other hand, Hanuma?n is shown mostly as acknowledging the divine power of Ra?ma or in the act of performing the heroic exploits as the leader of the va?naras. It is proposed to discuss the portrayal of Hanuma?n in art, especially his encounter with the demon Ka?lane?mi.