Graphic artist Karan Acharya's Virat Bhajarangi Hanuman (popularly known as 'Angry Hanuman') painting became a rage, seen behind almost every vehicle in the country. Now, he has designed two images of Virat Ram - one in red background, where he is clean shaven and the other with saffron background.

However, Lord Ram doesn't look as aggressive as Hanuman, but the background colour gives it an intense effect.

While Hanuman was designed for Ganesha Chathurthi, Karan sketched the epic hero Rama for the much-talked about Ramayana month that is being celebrated by CPM in Kerala. Speaking exclusively to My Nation, Karan said, "I had this paining ready one month ago, but was waiting for the right occasion to release it. Now with Ramayana  month being in news, this is my way of wishing everyone."

This painting is the result of overwhelming response for the Hanuman graphic. Here is the story behind Karan designing the Virat Hanuman.

Karan Acharya is a Bengaluru-based artist, who designed the Hanuman "with attitude" (as he likes to call it) in a vector-style graphic, three years ago. Karan was born in Kudlu village at Kasaragod in Kerala. He came up with the Hanuman image on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi when his friends wanted to use something apart from the flags that have 'Om' on them.

Thus Karan thought of Hanuman and as they wanted it immediately, he had sent it to them on WhatsApp, which within a year, became a rage in the state and then it spread to other states too.

28-year-old Karan takes inspiration from Raja Ravi Varma and is greatly influenced by Mahabharata, Ramayana and the mythological characters in it.