About the Artwork +
This Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar offers a brilliant, powerful rendition of the traditional sacred iconography of Durga as Mahishasuramardini, seamlessly blending 19th-century folk art techniques with a profound portrayal of cosmic triumph and divine mythology.
Originating near the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, this art style has historically been celebrated for its ability to capture religious devotion, folklore, and complex narratives with absolute economy of line. This refreshing interpretation captures the fierce warrior goddess thoroughly absorbed in vanquishing the buffalo demon to restore cosmic order.
At the heart of the composition stands the multi-armed Goddess Durga, positioned centrally to form a commanding, towering physical silhouette over her adversaries against a minimalist, deep teal background. The goddess is depicted with an intense orange-toned complexion, long dark hair cascading down her back, a traditional third eye gracing her forehead, and her signature elongated, stylized almond eyes looking forward with focused, serene intensity. She is beautifully attired in a deep red saree detailed with rhythmic black stripes, perfectly complementing the traditional patterned golden crown (mukut) atop her head. In a magnificent display of her divine status, her ten arms fan out in a radiating arrangement from her shoulders. Her arms are adorned with stacked white bangles, each hand firmly wielding a variety of symbolic weapons - including a sword, a discus (chakra), a bow, and a slender silver trident (trishul) that plunges directly toward the demon below.
Emerging at the base of the canvas is the defeated demon Mahishasura and the goddess's powerful mount, completing the narrative scene. The human form of the demon crouches on the right, rendered in a striking olive-green skin tone with a white-striped chest, a prominent mustache, and fangs bared in a mixture of anger and submission. On the left, the goddess’s ferocious lion vehicle, uniquely depicted with bold, rhythmic golden-yellow and black stripes resembling a tiger's coat, crouches forward with an open mouth, turning its head sharply upward to sink its jaws into the demon's arm. Goddess Durga firmly plants one foot upon the beast’s back while driving her divine weapon into the adversary, emphasizing her supreme authority.
Peeking into the frame from the upper edge is a heavy, stylized draped curtain in crimson and black, completed by yellow-orange tasseled hangings on either side. The theatrical backdrop hangs overhead to playfully mimic a classic temple stage setting brought into a sacred narrative space. In classical Kalighat iconography, the dramatic contrast between the absolute poise of the goddess and the chaotic struggles of her foes acts as a silent, knowing witness to the cosmic balance between righteousness and ego, making this epic battlefield scene a brilliant, reverent nod to how timeless spiritual narratives continue to dominate regional cultural spaces.
The painting features the Kalighat school's signature bold outlines, using thick, sweeping strokes to give the divine figures, the striped lion, and the cowering demon their rounded, volumetric presence. The color palette relies on a sophisticated harmony of rich crimson, deep teal, and vibrant golden-orange tones, all highlighted by meticulous white line-work detailing her layered necklaces, facial markings, and jewelry trims. By documenting a timeless slice of sacred Hindu lore through centuries-old folk art conventions, this piece beautifully honors the living, evolving spirit of Bengal’s regional art heritage.
Authentication and Certification +
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
Sizes, Framing and Customisation +
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.
Shipping and Taxes +
We ship worldwide. All artworks are handmade and couriered securely in transit safe packaging sutaible for the artwork.
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 35 inches or Decor items with any side over 35 inches.
- For orders above ₹24,999 in value, the shipping provider may levy an additional commercial package handling fee of up to ₹3,609.
- 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.
Delivery Timelines and Returns +
Returns and Replacements
We offer replacements or repairs if your artwork arrives damaged or has a quality issue. As each artwork is handcrafted, we do not accept returns or refunds for orders received in the expected condition.
Delivery Timeline
This artwork will be Made to Order and will take
2-3 weeks
to be made and shipped.
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.
Colour Disclaimer+
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.