Hanuman as Painted by MF Husain, Jamini Roy, and More

8 Depictions of Hanuman in Indian Art and Craft

All of us know Hanuman. After all, he is the revered monkey deity, who plays a prominent role in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. But what does he represent? The answer is strength, devotion, and divine power. If you are an avid reader, you might find Hanuman in myriad valourous action scenes—leaping across oceans, lifting mountains, or humbly serving Lord Rama.

Numerous artists have painted him across genres. Today, we chronicle the artists who have depicted Hanuman in their artworks.

Appam Raghava

Artist Appam Raghava has depicted Lord Hanuman in all his divinity. He emphasises the canvas’ simple elements and blends them with traditional sculptures. These traditional Hanuman masks are often made of Deccani-Bidri, brass, and aluminium.

Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma made Hanuman’s Discourse, in the Tanjore style. Hanuman is seen donning a crown and serving Rama and Lakshmana, who wear similar parabolic crowns. Raja Ravi Varma conveys beauty and expression on his face. Despite highlighting all four figures, Hanuman significantly contributes to the narrative’s meaning. He recites from the palm leaves as Rama, who is positioned at the centre in his teaching mudra, teaches and instructs, as indicated by his teaching mudra.

K Venkatappa

K Venkatappa created The Burning of Lanka in 1913. Here, Hanuman ignites the island of Lanka with his tail, following the flames set by the demon king Ravana. This illustration is taken from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists (1913) by Sister Nivedita and Ananda Coomaraswamy.

K Venkatappa embraces the hues and details to bring out Hanuman as an awe-inspiring vanara amidst the swirling smoke and intense fire.

Jamini Roy

Jamini Roy created Untitled (Hanuman and Jatayu) using gouache on paper affixed to the mount board.  Done in the Byzantine style, this piece is an uncommon instance, as it portrays Indian figures, specifically Hanuman and Jatayu, illustrating a significant moment from the Ramayana. Irregular polygons make up the composition, and cover the surface; a hallmark of Byzantine art.

MF Husain

M.F. Husain’s Hanuman Series is a collection of ten lithographs. It illustrates Hanuman’s legendary exploits through Ramayana. MF Husain has drawn the Hindu monkey god as a distinctive, vibrant, and abstract being, which implies his personal recollection and spiritual storytelling.

Venkat Raman Singh Shyam

Venkat Raman Singh Shyam has also put his own Gond spin to Hanuman’s tale. In Hanumanji, he exposes his torso, comprised of rhythmic, concentric waves. This represents his fluid strength. Hanuman’s large, radiant, and expressive eyes is another hallmark. He is seen carrying the Sanjeevani mountain in his right hand, while his left holds his signature mace, drawn with intertwining blue and yellow threads.

Venkat Raman Singh Shaym’s Hanuman is embellished with an ornate crown, with delicate petals, a sign of celestial essence. His lower body brims with an array of colourful fish of Makardhwaj. The creature, part-fish and part-monkey embodies the transformation. Hanuman’s expression is composed yet active; a moment of reflection and rest following his victory in Lanka.

Ramesh Gorjala

Ramesh Gorjala’s Hanuman 2 reinterprets Hanuman through the Kalamkari technique. He infuses life into him through a delicate mix of red, orange, green, and golden yellow.

Anjolie Ela Menon

Anjolie Ela Menon’s Girl Sleeping was displayed in the early 2000s. Much like any of her artwork, it alludes to Hindu mythology and elements of popular yet ironic Indian calendar art. Viewers can see two representations of the Hindu deity Hanuman: one shows him soaring without the mountain Dronagiri, while the other portrays him as headless, opening his chest to reveal his devotion to Ram and Sita. A recurring image of a hovering female figure creates an intriguing sense of enigma.

Image – Hanuman Lanka Gaman. Courtesy – International Indian Folk Art Gallery