Jatayu hinders Ravana’s chariot trying to prevent Sita’s abduction - Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy

A traditional Kalighat woodblock print depicting the mythological scene of Jatayu attempting to rescue Sita from Ravana's chariot.

This woodblock print originates from the Kalighat tradition of Kolkata, a style that emerged in the nineteenth century near the Kalighat Kali Temple. These works were produced for pilgrims and visitors, often depicting scenes from Hindu mythology alongside contemporary social commentary. The artist, Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy, employs a distinct graphic approach, utilising bold lines and a flattened perspective to convey the narrative of the Ramayana. The composition captures a dramatic moment from the epic: the demi-god Jatayu, depicted as a large avian figure, attempts to intercept the chariot of Ravana as he abducts Sita. The artist presents the scene with a focus on symbolic clarity rather than anatomical realism. The chariot, rendered as an architectural structure with domes and flags, sits atop the wings of the bird, creating a surreal, iconic arrangement. The figures of Ravana and Sita are contained within this structure, their forms simplified to fit the decorative requirements of the print. Kalighat prints are known for their economy of line and directness. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to suggest texture and form, particularly on the feathers of Jatayu and the architectural details of the chariot. The lack of background detail keeps the focus entirely on the central struggle. This print reflects the transition from traditional hand-painted scrolls to mass-produced woodblock prints, which allowed for wider distribution of these popular mythological stories. The aesthetic is characterised by its graphic quality, which appealed to the urban population of colonial Kolkata. This piece offers a view into the visual culture of the period, where traditional narratives were adapted to new printing technologies for a growing audience.