Mahishasuramardini in Kalighat by Uttam Chitrakar

This Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar is a grand and dramatic portrayal of Mahishasuramardini, the fierce manifestation of Goddess Durga as the slayer of the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Originating near the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal, this school of painting is celebrated for its ability to condense complex, epic narratives into highly expressive, visually striking compositions utilizing fluid brushwork and rich, saturated pigments.

At the center of this devotional piece is the ten-armed Goddess Durga, depicted as a majestic warrior queen radiating supreme divine power. Her countenance features the traditional elongated, almond-shaped eyes, a sharp nose ring and a prominent third eye (trinetra) on her forehead, symbolizing her cosmic wisdom and destructive energy against evil.

She wears an elegant deep blue sari adorned with white geometric patterns, a patterned red blouse, and a high, elaborate tiered crown (mukut) that signifies her sovereignty over the universe. Her ten arms fan out symmetrically, each hand wielding subtle white line-drawings of her divine weapons. These include pasha and ankusha (noose and elephant goad), dhaushya-baan (bow and arrow), shankha (conchshell) and padma (lotus).

The narrative climax unfolds below her throne-like posture, where the battle with the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, takes place. To the right, the demon is depicted with dark skin, holding a raised khadga (sword), caught in a moment of vulnerability as he is overpowered. Clamped tightly onto him is Durga’s vahana (vehicle), a fierce, stylized lion with a golden-yellow mane, large alert eyes, and a patterned coat, embodying the raw, protective fury of nature channeled for divine justice.

The background is a rich, flat terracotta red that highlights the primary figures, a characteristic feature of this tradition. At the top of the canvas, draped blue curtains with detailed tassels become a framing device.

The painting features the Kalighat school’s signature economy of line, utilizing broad, sweeping strokes and rhythmic white cross-hatching to create a sense of texture in the garments and armor. The color palette is striking yet balanced, relying on the vibrant contrast between the fiery background and the deep blue and gold of the divine figures. This work beautifully captures the essence of the Kalighat tradition, merging the epic grandeur of the Devi Mahatmyam with the spirited, expressive energy of Bengal’s folk heritage.

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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.