The three-headed rakshasa Trishiras sits on a throne facing a fire altar in which a severed head is burning
English: painting / album Previous 13/14 Next Back to search results Object type painting term details album term details Museum number 1992,0410,0.1.49 Description Gouache painting on paper, part of an album of seventy paintings of Indian deities. The three-headed rakshasa Trishiras sits in lalitasana on a throne facing a fire altar in which a severed head is burning. In his left hand, Trishiras carries a large oblation spoon on which is yet another severed head. In his right hand he carries a curved sword. Flames emanate from his three crowns and vibhuti are on his forehead. More School/style Company School term details Trichinopoly Style Date 1830 (circa) Production place Painted in: Tiruchirapalli term details (Asia,South Asia,India,Tamil Nadu,Tiruchirapalli) Materials paper Technique painted term details Dimensions Height: 21.5 centimetres Width: 17 centimetres Inscriptions Inscription Type inscription Inscription Position facing page Inscription Language English Inscription Content The offering of human victims was common but now the English courts of Justice take cognisance of such murders and would punish the perpetrators: still however it has been said that men without the head to the body have not infrequently been found near such temples. The suspicion generally is that such persons have been murdered Inscription Comment written by commentator 2 Inscription Type inscription Inscription Position facing page Inscription Language English Inscription Content No. 66. Giant termed Tirtsaran who was in ancient [?] lived at Trichinopoly Inscription Comment written by commentator 1 Curator's comments Dallapiccola 2010: The painting refers to the story of the origin of Tiruchchirappalli: it is said that the three-headed demon ‘Trisira’ ruled over the region. He offered two of his heads to Shiva and threw them into the sacrificial fire, but the god did not appear. When he was on the verge of cutting off his remaining head, Shiva appeared before him and showered him with favours. An album of seventy paintings of Indian gods, including the unusual inclusion of the myth of Trishira, Ravana’s brother, who is said to be the founder of the city of Tiruchirappalli (1992,0410,0.1.49 & 1992,0410,0.1.53). This suggests that the album was produced in Tiruchirappalli. The album includes inscribed commentary from three different people. The first commentator attempts to identify each of the paintings and sometimes draws parallels with Egyptian mythology. The second commentator expands on these identifications and attempts to draw comparisons with classical mythology, whilst the third commentator is interested in the various sectarian marks that characterize Shaivas and Vaishnavas. The images retain the brilliant colour of the paint, evidence of the album having been kept closed for long periods since its creation. The buckram binding of the album is stamped with the words ‘Hindu Deities’. More Bibliography Dallapiccola 2010 cat 7.49 bibliographic details Subjects hinduism term details deity term details Acquisition name Funded by: Brooke Sewell Permanent Fund biography Purchased from: Pablo Butcher biography Acquisition date 1992 Department Asia Registration number 1992,0410,0.1.4