Hello!

This article will provide you with all the basic information about the contest along with some helpful hints and links that you can use to incorporate in your entry.

The contest will kick off next sunday that is AUGUST 3rd 2008 12:00 am Indian Standard Time (thats 5.30 hours ahead of GMT)
It ends October 28th 11:59pm IST

Details

Indian Mythology is extremely vast- even I am unaware of many aspects! India is very rich in culture and I just thought it would be nice for us all to explore it. And a contest would be a fun way to go about it

So pick a story/character/incident and illustrate it to the best of your abilities. There are many lovely stories and epics to choose from. I shall list a few of them just as an outline/guide- you can, of course, research your own or illustrate one that you already know well


DASAVATARA
It literally means 'ten avataras' or ten incarnations. These are ten stories about the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
[link]

The ten avataras are
Matsya, the fish
Kurma, the tortoise
Varaha, the boar
Narasimha, half-human and half-lion
Vamana, the dwarf
Parashurama
Rama (of Ramayana fame)
Krishna
Gautama Buddha
Kalki


MAHABHARATA
It is one of the longest epic poems in the world and the longest in all of Indian Mythology. [link]

Areas of interest:
The five Pandava Princes : Yudistira, Bima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadewa
The dice game
Draupadi
Exile of Pandavas
Ghatotkacha
Bheesma
Gandhari
Abhimanyu
Drona or Dronacharya
Karna
Battle at Kurukshetra


RAMAYANA
It is the other famous epic poem of Indian Mythology. It is very popular and quite culturally significant. [link]

Areas of interest:
Prince Rama
Exile of Rama
Lakshman Rekha and birth if the custom of 'Rakshabandhan'
Abduction of Sita and the golden deer
Ravana, king of Lanka
Hanuman
Vali
Construction of the bridge to Lanka
Battle between Rama and Ravana
Kumbhakarna
Return of Rama to Ayodhya after exile


OTHER STORIES
Few other interesting tales that you might want to explore.
Stories about Lord Ganesh, Sati and Prahlad are my favorite

Lord Ganesha
The creation of Lord Ganesh out of clay and how he got his elephant head etc.

Trimurti
The Creator, The Preserver and The Destroyer
(Brahma, Vishnu and Siva)

Lord Indra
Chief-god of the heavens.

Lord Durga
A fierce and powerful Goddess. Incarnation of Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Siva)

Sati
Devoted wife and how she convinced the Lord of Death, Yama to give her husband back his soul.

Nala Damayanti
A love story of Nala and Damayanti.

Prahlad
Grandson of Bali and how his devotion to Lord Vishnu saves his life

Bali
A demon by birth but a righteous king and how he is defeated by Lord Vishnu in his 'Vamana' avatara.

Ekalavya
A humble pupil of Drona and the concept of 'Gurudakshina'

Garuda
Mythical bird and the mount of Lord Vishnu


I hope that was helpful!
You can also
I can't wait to see what you guys come up with


THE JUDGES
will be myself and ^archanN



THE RULES

Must follow ALL dA rules and policies
Deviation must be new and submitted for this contest (i.e. after aug 3rd)
Entry MUST link back to the contest
All illustrative media accepted: that is digital/traditional/mixed media/photomanipulation
A limit of FIVE entries per person (but you can only win once)
Soft mature content only and nothing that is religiously fanatic or idealogically sensitive
All entries must be in by October 28th 11:59pm

If you have any questions just note me


THE PRIZES

The prize list will be updated in my journal but basically is as follows:

FIRST PLACE
SIX MONTH SUB
Custom painting
Journal features

SECOND PLACE
THREE MONTH SUB
Custom drawing
Journal features

PEOPLES CHOICE
Shortlisted entries will be chosen by deviants by means of a poll
THREE MONTH SUB
Journal features

Anybody wishing to donate journal features/subs/custom art please note me. Thank you!
You can still participate if you donate


Official launch is August 3rd 12:00am.

Stay tuned for more updates!
Please do spread the word I would really appreciate it!




DISCLAIMER
This contest is not intended to be a way to influence religious views. It is definitely not targeted at any individual or group(s) of people.