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| King Ravan after the death of his son Indrajith |
The epic tale of Ramayan, while being one of the most sacred texts in Hindu mythology, is also a literary masterpiece choke full of colorful sub plots, themes, motifs and characters. Enough to fill any child's imagination with wonder and a yearning for adventure.
Perhaps no other person in this ancient tale is as terrifying and as powerfully etched out as the main antagonist - the demon king Ravan. A proud and magnificent villain worthy of engaging the divine protagonist, prince Ram of Ayodhya, in a symbolic battle between good and evil.
Ravan, blessed by the Creator himself, is depicted as a demon with ten heads - easily the most recognizable characteristic of his visage, and one which would capture the mind of any child sitting ready and willing to make art.. or at least so one might think.
Edmund Thomas Clint saw something else in the villainous demon who personified the worst qualities of injustice and arrogance. He saw a father... he saw what was human in him.
In this picture, we see Clint's perspective captured on paper. His young hands beautifully translated the pain and agony of a parent mourning the loss of a child. The picture shows Ravan sitting before what looks like a selection of delicacies, uninterested, leaning his tremendously strong and grand frame back in his ornate chair. A massive, bloody broadsword lying behind him.
Note the look of despair on Ravan's face, amplified by the thick eyebrows and dazed eyes. Clint saw him with a regal nose and a manly mustache twirled up at the ends, lining up over a wide mouth. The details on the crown too are to be appreciated.
But the brilliant and complex mind of Clint did not ignore the darker side of Ravan though. Not even in this context of gloom, and he shows us the huge arms of the king with the talon like fingers, hirsute palms and blackened nails.
It is indeed amazing to think that a young boy of less than seven years of age, at some point in his life, envisioned this image in all its elegance and contrasting symbolism... and quite capably breathed life in to it through his unparalleled skills. A glimpse in to the mind of a genius...
Ravan, blessed by the Creator himself, is depicted as a demon with ten heads - easily the most recognizable characteristic of his visage, and one which would capture the mind of any child sitting ready and willing to make art.. or at least so one might think.
Edmund Thomas Clint saw something else in the villainous demon who personified the worst qualities of injustice and arrogance. He saw a father... he saw what was human in him.
In this picture, we see Clint's perspective captured on paper. His young hands beautifully translated the pain and agony of a parent mourning the loss of a child. The picture shows Ravan sitting before what looks like a selection of delicacies, uninterested, leaning his tremendously strong and grand frame back in his ornate chair. A massive, bloody broadsword lying behind him.
Note the look of despair on Ravan's face, amplified by the thick eyebrows and dazed eyes. Clint saw him with a regal nose and a manly mustache twirled up at the ends, lining up over a wide mouth. The details on the crown too are to be appreciated.
But the brilliant and complex mind of Clint did not ignore the darker side of Ravan though. Not even in this context of gloom, and he shows us the huge arms of the king with the talon like fingers, hirsute palms and blackened nails.
It is indeed amazing to think that a young boy of less than seven years of age, at some point in his life, envisioned this image in all its elegance and contrasting symbolism... and quite capably breathed life in to it through his unparalleled skills. A glimpse in to the mind of a genius...
The picture and your words offer more than just a glimpse.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Dear Ammu,
ReplyDeleteThanks for transforming Clint's life into a book form. It was as good as living with the legend in real. I have become a great fan of Clint eversince I read the biography. The last chapter and the epilogue left me with tears and profound grief. Why did this happen to him? Gods must have been cruel. I have sobbed many times now thinking of Clint's abrupt demise, thinking about his parents.
It's his birthday today & I'm paying homage to him in my mind. I truly wish & pray that Clint museum comes into reality.
This is Venkat from Canada. Would love to meet Clint's parents atleast once in lifetime and see the master's masterpieces in real! _/|\_ :,-C