Painted cotton scroll of Markandeya and Bhavan Rishi

This scroll painted with elaborate details tells the story of Bhavan Rishi. He was created by Rishi Markandeya from a sacrificial fire to make garments for the gods. Opening with a prayer to Ganesha and Vishnu, this scroll unfolds slowly scene by scene, followed by the main narrative. In India, minstrels carried this scroll from place to place, sang and narrated stories from it. The performance is accompanied by song and dance, and can last from a few days to a week.

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