7: Cross Cultural Representation in Raji through Medieval Mythology and Architecture

7: Cross Cultural Representation in Raji through Medieval Mythology and Architecture

Priyanka Das, @sacaterpillar, Presidency University, Kolkata The narrative technique of storytelling with puppets and mandalas in Raji immerses the gamer in a paradigm built to imitate the cosmos as reflected in diverse indigenous cultures across the Indian subcontinent.

Floor paintings are a traditional form of folk art that unifies diverse indigenous cultures across India through aesthetic expression. It is democratic and religious in nature, known as Mandana in Rajasthan and Alpona in Bengal. Mandalas are complex geometrical manifestations of the universe based upon pre-Vedic philosophies. They are meant to invoke the divine and contain memories, which are the essence of human life. Raji's memories about Golu strengthen her to fight the demons. The structure of the mandalas correspond to the structure of the nested bodies in Hindu Philosophy. They are the primitive form of mandanas, which were discovered in Mohenjo-Daro. Upon reaching the core of a mandala, one can retrieve memories or gain knowledge. Knowledge about the divine or self is equivalent to strength and immortality. The characters are surrounded by either divine or dark mandanas to indicate their strength, a departure from using health bars.

Stained glass was used in the medieval Europe as a medium for Biblical symbolism. Later, the style was revived during the neo-Gothic period. It was introduced into the Indian architectural form during the colonial rule in the mid-nineteenth century. The neo-Gothic craftsmen had superficially imitated the red and blue palette on stained glass to achieve the 'dim religious light', which is inversed in Raji with dark mandana motifs to indicate the ominous. Medieval fortification included 'trou de loop', Rangda, the usurper choked the waters of Hiranya Nagari with poison so that the trespassers would be poisoned to death. Moreover, the eeriness is aggravated by the neo-Gothic architectural form. The weapons wielded by Raji instigate disassociation from gendered perspectives. The Trishul or Trident of Shiva is a manifestation of a medieval spear with three spikes, representing three divine states, the meaning of which is culturally diverse and contested. Sharanga is the celestial bow of Vishnu, the arrows represent the rudimentary elements– thunder, fire and ice. The five distinct mandanas are symbolic constructions of divine incantations that are used to vanquish demons. The Sudarshana Chakra or Discus of Vishnu is an extension of the psycho-active self or mind that executes the will of the person who wields it. The body in Hindu Philosophy is a psycho-physical organism that exists in a body and soul continuum. The cosmic construction of mandalas and mandamas indicate the strength of the characters, manifest in inversed neo-Gothic stained glass architechtural form and divine incantations. They symbolise the division between gross and subtle body, and their vulnerability.

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