Hanuman in Art and Iconography: From Ancient Sculptures to Modern Murals
If there’s one deity in the Indian pantheon who leaps effortlessly across genres—mythology, art, pop culture, and street walls—it’s Hanuman. The monkey god has not only conquered Lanka and lifted mountains, but also captured the imagination of sculptors, painters, and artists for over two millennia.
Today, we’re taking you on a visual and cultural journey—from chiselled temple sculptures to graffiti murals in bustling cities—to trace how Hanuman has evolved through art and iconography.
🪨 1. Ancient Roots: Hanuman in Early Temple Sculptures
📍 Gupta & Chalukya Periods (4th–7th century CE)
The earliest depictions of Hanuman appear in temples of central and south India. In these early sculptures, Hanuman is often seen in humble postures, hands folded in prayer or offering respect to Rama.
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Example: The Pattadakal temples in Karnataka show Hanuman as a loyal servant in group compositions of the Ramayana.
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His figure was muscular but not exaggerated, his face expressive of devotion and humility—qualities central to Bhakti-era spirituality.
📍 Ellora & Hampi: The Carved Epics
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At Ellora Caves (Maharashtra), intricate reliefs portray Hanuman lifting the Sanjeevani-bearing mountain.
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Hampi (Karnataka) features vivid bas-reliefs of Hanuman in the Yantrodharaka form—seated in yogic meditation inside a yantra, blending warrior energy with meditative stillness.
🖌️ 2. Hanuman in Miniature Paintings: Stories in a Frame
🎨 Mughal & Rajasthani Styles (16th–18th century)
Hanuman’s adventures became a favored subject in Rajput and Pahari miniatures, where he is often seen:
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Flying through the skies with a mountain in one hand
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Peeking into Sita’s chamber in Lanka, offering Rama’s ring
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Battling demons in intricate war scenes
Despite the Islamic influence on Mughal art, Hanuman remained popular due to the literary spread of the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas. His image often stood for loyalty and valor, appreciated even across faith lines.
🎭 3. Hanuman in Performing Arts and Costumes
While not static visual art, Hanuman’s portrayal in folk theatre deserves special mention.
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In Kathakali (Kerala) and Yakshagana (Karnataka), actors wear elaborate masks and costumes to embody Hanuman’s larger-than-life persona.
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His character is marked by red-colored faces, bulging eyes, and dramatic headgear, symbolizing his fiery spirit.
These performative depictions keep iconography alive, morphing art into movement.
🖼️ 4. The Renaissance of Hanuman in Modern Indian Art
🧑🎨 K. Venkatappa, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy
With the Bengal Renaissance and revival of Indian aesthetics in the 20th century, Hanuman entered canvas art again:
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Jamini Roy painted Hanuman in bold lines and folk-inspired forms—flat colors, almond eyes, and rustic charm.
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Nandalal Bose, a nationalist artist, portrayed Hanuman as a symbol of spiritual strength during India’s freedom struggle.
Artists used Hanuman to bridge the sacred and the secular, myth and modernity.
🎨 5. Street Art & Pop Culture: Hanuman Goes Urban
Walk down the streets of Mumbai, Delhi, or even Varanasi, and you're likely to find Hanuman murals bursting with color and attitude.
🎉 Bajrang Bali Goes Street
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Artist Karan Acharya’s “Angry Hanuman” went viral across India—a red-faced, intense-eyed version of Hanuman that became a symbol of youthful energy and cultural pride. It found its way onto car stickers, tattoos, even political campaigns.
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In contrast, in Bengaluru, artists have painted Yogic Hanuman on metro pillars, emphasizing his meditative and peaceful aspect.
This duality—fierce and serene—gives Hanuman versatility across visual genres.
🖌️ 6. Hanuman in Contemporary Installations and Murals
📍 Hanuman Vatika, Odisha: A 75-feet-tall statue that fuses sculpture and landscape architecture.
📍 Jakhoo Statue, Shimla: Towering at 108 feet, this modern installation shows Hanuman as guardian of the north.
📍 Sankat Mochan Murals, Varanasi: Artists from the Banaras Hindu University have painted sprawling murals of Hanuman’s life in narrative form—temple walls turned into open-air museums.
And let’s not forget 3D digital art, where Hanuman is now a subject of augmented reality and animation, making him accessible to tech-savvy youth.
💡 7. The Symbolism in Hanuman’s Iconography
Throughout these representations, certain iconographic elements remain timeless:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mace (Gada) | Power and righteousness |
| Mountain | Strength with purpose |
| Folded hands or prayer pose | Humility and devotion |
| Tail curled over head | Energy and alertness |
| Open heart showing Rama-Sita | Symbol of Bhakti |
Each element isn't just visual—it's spiritual storytelling in motion.
🔚 Final Thoughts: A God Reimagined Across Time
Hanuman’s journey through art is nothing short of breathtaking. From cave carvings to canvas, from miniature to mural, from Sanskrit verses to sticker culture—Hanuman evolves, but never fades. He absorbs the spirit of every age while holding onto his eternal essence: faith, strength, and service.
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