Traditional Balinese paintings typically depict scenes drawn from mythological sources such as the Panji narrative, known as colloquially as Malat, as well as from the adapted Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. This painting probably illustrates scenes from the Bharatayuda, the war between the Pandawa and Kurawa clans. Such paintings were originally produced to decorate temples and palaces, as well as for display in ritual practices. However, after the collapse of the traditional Balinese kingdoms and imposition of Dutch rule in the early 20th century such paintings also came to be produced as commercial works of art. Kamasan, a village in the Klungkung regency, is well-known as a centre for producing paintings in the customary style.
