‘Paithan’ (Chitrakathi) narrative painting

Abhimanyu (son of the Mahabharata-hero Arjuna) and his mother Subhadhra travel through the forest in a chariot. Their road is obstructed by the demon Ghatotkacha, son of Arjuna's brother Bhima. The heroes are unaware of their family ties and a fight arises.

Scene from the story of the marriage of Abhimanyu and Vatsala. The story although connected to the events of the Mahabharata, is not found in the standard versions of the Epic and is probably based on local tradition, in Kannada or Marathi, either written or oral.