Paintings

Lord Krishna killed many demons sent by King Kamsa to kill him, such as Putana, Trinavarta,Saktasura, Dhenkasur, Vatsasura,V yomasura, Aghasura, Bakasura, Pralambasura, Aristasura and Kesi. Here are shown some of them.

One of the most colourful festivals celebrated by the Bengalees, the artists of Bengal have given Durga Puja a vivrant treatment. Patachitra paintings are one of the most beautiful folk paintings in India and the treatment of vibrant colour and strong lines are the defining features of this form of panting. The painting has depicted the all-powerful Durga killing the demon Mahisasur. The people regaling the spirit of the Puja have also found a colourful treatment in the painting. Indeed a collector’s rare choice. While the puja embodies the spirit of the victory of the good over the evil, it also reminds about the power of the Goddess Durga who was born out of the collective power of all the gods.

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This patachitra painting from Orissa stands out to be a unique creation in itself as the fantastic pictorial conceptions, the idiosyncratic conventions, the extraordinary system of line formations and vibrant use of colours have given this painting based on a theme of the epic Ramayan a bright efflorescence. The uniqueness of this school of painting was derived from some primitive forms of aboriginal art from Orissa or its neighbouring states. While the demons have been painted blue and black the banar sena (monkey soldiers) have been treated with yellow colours.A beautiful tradition of painting from Orissa, the process of preparing the canvas (Pata) is onerous and involves the preparation of a tamarind seed paste, mixed with water in an earthen pot and subjected to further treatment. When the canvas is dry, it is polished, a process that takes several hours. Once it is dry, the paintings ('chitrakarita') begin. A border is drawn around the pata. Then the outlines of the figures are drawn in white pigment. Next the background between the border and the figure or figures is painted in a solid colour, that are either natural or organic. Later, fine decorations are added to the picture. The painting is finished with a protective coating.

The marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati has given a beautiful picturisation by the master painter. Lord Shiva is considered to have led a very weird kind of life and in his marriage all sections of people accompanied him. The painting is a classic example of decorating the mythological aspect in a most creative manner. The use colour and lines are quite impressive.

The pouring down of rains, the clouds, the cheerfulness of the people enjoying rains all have been treated in a most artistic way by the painter. The vibrant colours yield the painting a most effective treatment. The trees, the wild grass, the master painter has treated the clouds quite effectively. The animals have also been treated in an artistic manner. The picture takes one back into some remote forest area of Braj where the Lord Krishna used to play with the Gopis. The god with Radha and the ponds where the swans have been playing have given it a very charming look. Indeed a collector’s rare choice.

The colourful Patachitra painting depicts the ecstasy people have during the time of festival. It depicts various gods and goddesses along with their devotees with musical instruments. Temples with the idols of the gods and goddesses are also painted. Derived from the Sanskrit words patta (a piece of cloth), chitra (painting or picture), Patachitra is a folk art form drawn on a piece of silk, cotton or any other fabric, portraying traditional motifs and imageries of religion and society.

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Govardhan hill is located near Vrindavan and is considered sacred the Hindus. According to Vaishnava legend the Vedic demi-god, Indra was losing his hold over the human beings, and became jealous of the boy Krishna (an incarnation of the Supreme God according to the Bhagavata Purana. Indra thus invoked many clouds to appear in the sky and schemed to flood the region with rains lasting for seven days and seven nights. Krishna in reply then lifted Govardhan hill, under which all the animals and people of the region took shelter, safe from the rains of Indra's fury. Ultimately, Indra accepted defeat, and after praying to Krishna, left for his heavenly abode, the Svarga.

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An epitome of tremendous power and strength, the fiery image of the Goddess Kali is being given a spectacular treatment in traditional Pata pattern. Beautiful application of colour and patterns has added some sparkling impact in the painting on tussar silk. The Goddess is painted stepping over the sleeping Shiva, that symbolizes ignorance. She is wearing the garlands of human skulls. Believed to be a form of Parvati, Kali is the identified with the killing of the darker side of human beings. Worshipping her helps us get rid of the evil forces in life. The frame of the painting is being nicely decorated with some dazzling designs.

In this beautiful Kalamkari painting, the Lord Ganesha both causes obstacles on our way and following propitiation removes the same. Therefore he is called the Remover of Obstacles (Lord Vigneswara). In the first book the Mahabharata, and is said that he asked Ganesha to aid him in writing it down. It is said that Ganesha imposed a condition that Vyasa narrate the story without pause, and Vyasa made a counter-condition that Lord Ganesh understand the verse before he transcribed it. This is supposed to explain the complicated Sanskrit used in some sections of the Mahabharata, recited by Vyasa when he wanted a break.

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The spectacular Pata painting depicts the ferocious goddess Kali with some beautiful lines and carvings. On her two hands, the goddess is carrying different weapons and she is also carrying a beheaded figure seeping blood from it. The Goddess is depicted trampling over sleeping Shiva. The borders of the painting are nicely painted with natural colours and the background is quite attractive. Goddess Kali is a popular goddess especially in Bengal and it is believed that worshipping her helps us get rid of the evil forces.

The beautiful Patachitra painting depicts the King being given a warm welcome by his officials on his arrival from foreign trip. A deep sense of satisfaction is manifest on the faces of the people. They are happy to welcome back their king. A sense of accomplishment is also manifest on the face of the king. Derived from the Sanskrit words patta (a piece of cloth), chitra (painting or picture), Patachitra is a folk art form drawn on a piece of silk, cotton or any other fabric, portraying traditional motifs and imageries of religion and society.

The glittering Kalmakari painting depicts the Lord of Wisdom makes smart use of colour and pattern. One of the most popular gods in Hinduism, the Lord is worshipped first among all the gods and that’s why He is called Agra Ganya. The Lord is painted nicely with lot of jewelries and drapery and he is painted in a dancing mode as the mouse, his vehicle is also giving company.

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The spectacular Pata painting depicts the existense of dual aspects in us: both feminine and masculine. In this beautiful Pata painting the God is depicted both masculine and feminine form. The concept of Ardhanariswar form of Lord Shiva shows the duality of existence in human being. Both the forces must come together for creation to take place. Patachitra, a spectacular painting in Orissa, was born out of the cult of God Jagannath, the presiding deity of Orissa temple. Spectacular pictorial conceptions, characteristic conventions and vibrant color patterns make the Patachitra a unique treasure in the rich coffer of Indian ethnic art. Primarily executed on cloth, using natural colors, these ethnic paintings have charmed admirers across the globe.

The beautiful Kalamakari painting is being given a refine and detail treatment with some beautiful pattern of colour. Lord Ganesha is painted seated and a deep sense of gravity and accomplishment is manifest on His face. One of the most-revered Gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of any ritual and He can be easily propitiated by offering sweets. Kalamkari is an exquisite ancient craft of painted and printed fabrics. It derives its name from Kalam meaning Pen, and Kari meaning work, literally Pen-work and is extremely popular in Andhra Pradesh.

The beautiful velvet painting of Lord Ganesha is given a spectacular treatment with some sharp carvings. Lord Ganesha is one of the most-worshipped gods in Hinduism and He is worshipped before beginning any ritual. He is the lord of wisdom, intelligence, education, prudence, luck and fortune. He is the remover of obstacles, and as such it is normal to invoke him before the undertaking of any task with such incantations as Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah (hail the name of Ganesha), or similar.

The beautiful Kalamkari painting paints the God of Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles Lord Ganesha seated on His vehicle the rat. One of the most-worshipped gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped before undertaking any journey. Son of Lord Shiva, one of the Trinity Gods in Hinduism, the other two being Lord Brahma and Vishnu, and Parvati, Lord Ganesha can be easily propitiated by offering sweets.

The eight forms of Lord Ganesha have been vividly portrayed by the Kalamkari artist in a most beautiful manner. Kalamkari is a very popular art form from Andha Pradesh. The enhancing effulgence of colours and the characters that emerge on cotton fabric, help create a resplendent spread in this form of painting. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of colour as a medium to portray various Hindu mythological characters. The Mudgala Purana, an ancient text on Lord Ganesha, cites eight forms of Ganesha, prevailing over eight human weaknesses or demons. Ekadanta is the Conquerer of Moda, arrogance. Dhumravarna (smoke colored) overcomes Abhimana, pride; Vakratunda (curved trunk) is the Vanquisher of Matsarya, jealousy; Mahodara (big belly) is Lord of Moha, infatuation; Gajanana (elephant face) conquers Lobha, greed; Lambodara (corpulent belly) overcomes Krodha, anger; Vikata (deformed) conquers Kama, lust; Vighnaraja (King of Obstacles) prevails over Mamata (egotism). Thus Ganesha is "there" for even the lowest of the low, that there is hope for everyone, and that there really is "no intrinsic evil," only a seeming variation of the past containing all that has to be learned to live and grow from a young soul to an older one and then mature into rishi consciousness. He is "there for us." The Kalamkari art of painting undergoes a laborious, slow process of resist - dyeing and hand printing. Many stages have to be undergone before the final results are achieved. Unlike other styles of painting, Kalamkari painting demands a lot of treatment before and after the painting is completed on the cotton fabric. Depending on the treatment of cloth, or quality of the mordant, the colours change accordingly. Every step from soaking of the cloth, to sketching the outlines to washing and drying the cloth, is done carefully and correctly. The use natural dyes, extracted from bark, flower and root. Thus the colour red is obtained by using the Indian madder root, yellow from the pomegranate seed or even mango bark, and black from myrobalam fruit. No chemical dyes are used is producing Kalamkari colours! From whitening the cloth in a particular solution to the final painting, it is a labourious process and the artist has to put up lot of effort.

Set on o Kalamkari painting, the Ganesha and Murugan’s painting is sized 44cmx 34cm. Whereas the Lord Ganesha is painted on blue colour, mostly natural dyes, a special feature of the Kalamkari form of paintings, Lord Murugan is painted yellow. Lord Ganesha is more associated with our day-to-day life whereas the Lord Murugan is involed mostly with the spiritual aspects of our life. The vehicles of both the gods have also been painted along with their gods. The master painter has used the lines, a special feature of the Kalamkari paintings, in a most astute manner. A rare combination of lines and colour gives the Kalamkari painting an added attraction.

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The beautiful brocade painting depicts Manjusri Buddhisttva in a most prolific manner. Colour pattern is given a refine touch with blue getting prominence. Manjusri is a considered a bodhisattva (emanating enlightened being) in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism. Manjusri is associated with wisdom, doctrine and awareness. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Manjusri is the meditational deity (yidam), who embodies enlightened wisdom. Historically, the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures assert that Manjusri was a disciple of Gautama Buddha, although he has no mention in Pali scriptures. Manjusri is identified as "the oldest and most significant mythic bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition." In Tibetan Buddhism, Manjusri is considered a tantric meditational deity or Yidam, and considered a fully enlightened Buddha. Manjusri is one of the four great bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism, the four being: Kshitigarbha, Manjusri, Avalokiteshvara, and Samantabhadra. When he attains Buddhahood his name will be Universal Sight. His pure land will be one of the two best pure lands in all of existence in all the past, present and future.

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The figure of Aparmita or Amitayus bestower of Longevity. Aparmita is a form of the Lord Busddha and in this character, He is known as the bestower of longevity. Aparmita is richly clad and wears the thirteen special ornaments. His hair is painted blue and falls on either side to his elbows. He is seated like a Buddha and his hands lie on his lap in Dhyana Mudra holding the ambrosia vase, which is his special emblem. The vase is richly decorated and from the cover fall four strings of beats which represent sacred pills. He is invoked for long life, health and happiness. For obtaining long life the lamaist ceremony is held. This ceremony is a curious mixture of Buddhism and demon-worship. Pills made from buttered dough and the ambrosia brewed from spirit or beer and offered in a skull bowl to Aparmita. The lama then places a vajra on the ambrosia vase, which the image of Aparmita holds in his lap, and applies a cord, which is attached to the vajra, to his own heart. The wine in the ambrosia vase is then consecrated and the people partake of it as well as of the sacred pills with the firm conviction that their lives will be prolonged through their faith in Aparmita.

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The goddess in seated on a lotus and she is playing a veena. The beautiful painting of White Tara is given a spectacular touch with some fine colour treatment. Bluish colour is nicely used here. Tara is a female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, who is known as the "mother of liberation", and represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. She resembles Hindu Goddess Saraswati. Tara is in fact a generic term for a host of Buddhas or bodhisattvas of similar aspect. The most popular forms of Tr are Green Tr, known as the Buddha of enlightened activity and White Tr, who symbolizes compassion, long life, healing and serenity. She is also known as the Wish-fulfilling Wheel, or Cintachakra. White Tara, or also called Sarasvati, counteracts illness and thus helps to bring about a long life. She embodies the motivation that is compassion and is said to be as white and radiant as the moon.

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A deep sense of serenity and accomplishment is manifest in this beautiful Buddhist painting. An apostle of truth and non-violence, the painting depicts Lord Buddha preaching his disciples. Lord Buddha gave up the luxury of a royal life and for years moved from here and there in search of the Absolute Truth. Ultimately, he found a panacea for all worldly ills.