{"product_id":"maa-durgas-family-and-other-deities-in-kalighat-by-uttam-chitrakar","title":"Maa Durga's Family and other Deities in Kalighat by Uttam Chitrakar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar offers a brilliant, powerful rendition of the traditional Durga Parivar (divine family) assembly, seamlessly blending 19th-century folk art techniques with a highly intricate portrayal of cosmic order and sacred mythology. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginating near the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, this art style has historically been celebrated for its ability to capture religious devotion, complex mythologies, and heroic triumphs with absolute economy of line. This refreshing interpretation captures the supreme mother goddess, her celestial children, and the higher pantheon thoroughly absorbed in a moment of ultimate victory and cosmic balance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt the heart of the composition stands Goddess Durga as Mahishasuramardini, positioned centrally to form a commanding, towering physical silhouette that anchors the entire canvas against a minimalist, deep chocolate-brown background. The goddess is depicted with an immaculate, serene expression, her face rendered with full frontality, a third eye on her forehead, and signature elongated, stylized almond eyes looking forward with supreme poise. She wears a grand, multi-tiered crown backed by a massive, radiating halo filled with dense concentric line-work, while her ten arms fan out symmetrically from her shoulders to wield a variety of traditional weapons drawn with clean, wire-thin precision. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe is draped in a magnificent, flowing saree densely patterned with fine parallel lines and dotted rosettes, her foot firmly planted upon her adversaries. Directly beneath her is the dramatic culmination of her battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who emerges from a decapitated buffalo torso in a dynamic posture of defeat while her white lion vehicle, detailed with a beautifully textured mane, lunges forward to sink its teeth into the demon's arm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlanking the central goddess symmetrically are her four celestial children, completing the intimate family layout. On the upper left stands Goddess Lakshmi, representing wealth, adorned in matching patterned attire with her faithful owl resting near her shoulder, while below her stands the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha with his hands clasped in prayer, his small mouse vehicle nestled near his feet. On the right flank, Goddess Saraswati stands on the upper tier elegantly cradling her traditional veena with her graceful swan vehicle behind her, while the warrior prince Lord Kartikeya occupies the lower right tier, standing proudly alongside his regal peacock mount.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFramed within a distinct, horizontal oval register at the very top of the canvas is an assembly of higher Hindu deities witnessing the cosmic victory from the heavens. This celestial panel features a multi-headed Lord Brahma, a seated Lord Shiva, and a fierce, multi-armed Goddess Kali with her tongue extended, all surrounded by flanking sages and attendants seated cross-legged on either side. In classical Kalighat iconography, framing an entire divine family alongside a heavenly audience often acts as a silent, knowing witness to the absolute interconnectedness of the spiritual universe, making this grand gathering a brilliant, reverent nod to how timeless sacred narratives dominate regional cultural spaces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe painting features the Kalighat school's signature bold outlines, using thick, sweeping strokes to give the vast array of deities, their animal vehicles, and the cowering demon a heavily rounded, volumetric presence. Breaking away from traditional bright, flat color washes, the palette relies on a sophisticated monochromatic harmony of silver-grays, deep charcoal-blacks, and stark whites, creating incredible depth through complex hatching and fine grids. This intricate design is beautifully accented by a subtle, vibrant orange-red trim highlighting the lips, hands, and feet of the figures, giving the entire composition a pulse of life. By documenting a timeless slice of sacred Hindu lore through centuries-old folk art conventions, this piece in this beautifully honors the living, evolving spirit of Bengal’s regional art heritage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Uttam Chitrakar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46958890385622,"sku":null,"price":30000.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1194\/1498\/files\/buy-maa-durgas-family-and-other-deities-in-kalighat-by-uttam-chitrakar-memeraki-retail-and-tech-pvt-ltd-8890669.jpg?v=1788037388","url":"https:\/\/www.memeraki.com\/products\/maa-durgas-family-and-other-deities-in-kalighat-by-uttam-chitrakar","provider":"Memeraki Retail and Tech Pvt Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}