Keechak Sairandhri

Ravi Verma Press | 1910

Keechaka and Sairandhri is a dramatic episode from the Mahabharata, depicting Draupadi during the Pandavas’ thirteenth year of exile, when she lived incognito in the kingdom of Virata under the name Sairandhri. Kichaka, the powerful commander of Virata’s forces, becomes captivated by her, leading to one of the most intense and morally charged episodes of the epic.

The subject is particularly evocative in the visual language associated with Raja Ravi Varma: the contrast between feminine dignity and vulnerability, courtly splendour and latent danger, and the psychological tension between the figures gives the scene a powerful narrative presence. Draupadi’s composure and inner strength remain central, while Kichaka’s imposing presence embodies the threat against which her dignity must be defended.

This work is presented in the traditional oleographic aesthetic on Burma paper with silk embellishment, lending the printed image an additional tactile and ornamental character. The silk appliqué and hand-finished details enhance garments, jewellery and decorative elements, reflecting the historic Indian practice of enriching devotional and mythological prints for display in distinguished homes and collections.