Goddess Saraswati in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar

This breathtaking and iconographically dense Kalighat painting by Sonali Chitrakar presents a highly stylized depiction of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts, seated upon her sacred swan vehicle (vahana). Characterized by its monumental focal figures and bold contours, the composition masterfully handles traditional sacred iconography through a vibrant folk lens.

Kalighat painting is a traditional art form that originated in the 19th century around the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, Bengal, practiced by the Patua community. It is celebrated for its sweeping, lyrical brushstrokes, bold color fills, and a unique blend of mythological themes with satirical commentary on contemporary life. Traditionally executed with water-based pigments on paper, this style is renowned for its rapid, expressive line-work and minimalistic backgrounds that emphasize the volume and dramatic expressions of the central figures.

The composition centers around the golden-ochre skinned Goddess Saraswati, her body contoured by thick, fluid black ink strokes that define the volume of her limbs in a classic seated posture. She wears a striking terracotta-red blouse detailed with a fine pattern of white cross-hatching and dot blocks, paired with an opulent cream-colored sari that cascades downward in heavy, rhythmic pleats. Each fold of the sari is meticulously outlined in black and decorated with a repeating pattern of fine white pointillist dots. Her face features elongated, large fish-shaped eyes shaded with soft grey gradients, a sharp nose with a golden nose ring, and a bright crimson lip, all topped by an elaborate, multi-tiered triangular crown rendered in warm ochre-gold tones.

The goddess holds a long, golden-brown veena diagonally across her body. In a brilliant display of narrative invention, the lower circular resonator of the instrument functions as a literal sanctum, intricately framing a miniature depiction of the ten-armed Goddess Durga. This internal Durga figure is rendered with deep indigo-blue skin, dressed in a traditional red garb, and her ten radiating arms are finely detailed with microscopic black lines as she sits in a calm, meditative posture, with her face showcasing her third eye as well.

Saraswati is nestled between the grand, curving necks of two magnificent white swans whose elongated bodies loop around the frame to serve as a decorative throne. The swans' wings are masterfully detailed with overlapping, golden-brown scalloped patterns that mimic layered plumage, standing out sharply against a solid, dark indigo-blue sky speckled with fine, white four-pointed stars. Grounding the entire scene at the absolute base is a stylized water register rendered in deep blue wavy lines, punctuated by blooming crimson lotus petals and upright green lotus buds.

Ultimately, this composition transcends standard mythological portraiture to function as a profound visual commentary on the layered nature of divine energy. By seamlessly nesting the fierce, protective presence of Durga within the serene, musical form of Saraswati, Sonali Chitrakar masterfully utilizes the fluid lines of Bengal's Patua heritage to celebrate the infinite, harmonious dimensions of the sacred feminine.

Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the artwork.

View Sample Here

The sizes mentioned are excluding the borders of the artwork. Frames shown are for visual representation only and are not included with the artwork.

Customisation

Most artworks can be customised in terms of colours, size and elements to fit your requirements.

For custom artwork orders, please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at wecare@memeraki.com to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Framing Services

No, we currently sell artworks unframed (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise) and do not provide framing services.

We ship worldwide.

Domestic Orders

All prices are inclusive of GST and applicable Indian taxes.

• We offer free shipping on orders above ₹1999 for all artworks, except Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri.
• A flat shipping rate of ₹499 applies to orders below ₹1999.

Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri

Shipping is charged on a per-kilogram basis, due to the delicate and bulky nature of these items.

International Orders

• A flat shipping charge of ₹4,000 applies to international artwork orders.
• Customs duties, taxes, or import charges in the buyer’s country are not included and must be borne by the buyer.
• Shipping rates for Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri artworks will be calculated based on weight.

Additonal Shipping Charges

Extra charges may be applicable for both domestic and international deliveries in the following cases:

• If the article requires additional packaging (such as a wooden crate) to ensure safe shipping due to its delicate nature.
• Custom-framed artworks.
• Artworks where shorter side exceeds 36 inches or Decor items with any side over 35 inches.
• If you request express shipping. Contact support to check availability.
• The order contains more than two different product types.

You can proceed with your purchase, and our team will contact you to confirm any applicable additional shipping charges before processing your order. Alternatively, reach out to us on WhatsApp or email, and we'll assist you in completing your purchase with the final pricing.

All artworks are handmade and couriered securely in transit safe packaging sutaible for the artwork.

Due to high demand for artworks from this artist, the delivery timelines are currently 1-3 weeks.

If you are on a tight deadline, please reach out to us on WhatsApp or email to discuss your requirements.

Once your order is placed, our team stays in constant communication with the artist to track the progress and ensure the quality of your order. You will receive regular updates from us throughout this process.

All MeMeraki artworks are hand-painted. In rare occasions, artist may face delays due to weather, health, prior commitments or force majeure. Our team will reach out to you with revised timelines in case of such delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in such situations.

All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.