About the Artwork +
This powerful Kalighat painting by Anwar Chitrakar illustrates the quintessential mythological theme of Mahishasura Mardini,, Goddess Durga in her victorious, demon-slaying form.
Kalighat Painting is a traditional folk art form from Kolkata, West Bengal, known for its bold brushstrokes, expressive figures, and minimalistic compositions. It is characterized by strong flowing outlines, vibrant colours and themes ranging from Hindu mythology to social satire and scenes of everyday urban life.
The composition is entirely commanded by the majestic, ten-armed figure of Goddess Durga. Her serene face features the iconic Kalighat profile, large almond eyes, a prominent third eye on her forehead and an expression of unwavering, tranquil resolve that contrasts sharply with her martial action. She is crowned with an ornate, golden headdress. Radiating behind her head is a brilliant yellow halo, edged with red flames. Both her garments and form are adorned with delicate silver-white line-work that traces her contours and traditional jewelry.
In a magnificent display of her divine status, her ten arms fan out in a symmetric, radiating arrangement behind her shoulders. With her central hands, she firmly wields a long, slender silver spear, driving it downward into the chest of the demon. In her other arms she holds pasha and ankusha (noose and goad), dhanushya-baan (bow and arrow), khadga (sword) and lotus flowers. Her right foot rests lightly on the back of her mount, while her left leg steps firmly down upon the chest and shoulder of the fallen demon, pinning him to the ground.
The lower half of the canvas details the fierce culmination of the battle. On the left, Durga’s divine mount, the lion, acts as an aggressive participant. Rendered in a bold yellow with a stylized, anthropomorphic black mustache, the lion fiercely bites into the right arm of the demon. The defeated demon, Mahishasura, occupies the lower right. He is depicted with dark skin and a thick black mustache, looking upward in a final moment of subjugation. He still clutches a curved white sword across his chest, while his patterned shield rests uselessly on the ground.
The artwork utilizes a muted, mottled background that effectively isolates the intense action, highlighting the brightly colored figures. The painting features the Kalighat school's signature bold outlines, using thick, sweeping strokes. 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.
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Delivery Timeline
This artwork will be Made to Order and will take
3 weeks
to be made and shipped.
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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.