{"product_id":"mahishasura-mardini-with-the-golden-lion-in-kalighat-by-sonali-chitrakar","title":"Mahishasura Mardini with the Golden Lion in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eThis high-energy and iconographically dense vertical painting by Sonali Chitrakar presents the definitive Kalighat depiction of Durga Puja iconography, capturing the ten-armed Goddess Durga slaying the shape-shifting buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Characterized by its monumental focal figures and bold contours, the composition masterfully handles traditional sacred iconography through a vibrant folk lens.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKalighat 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe composition features the golden-skinned Goddess Durga standing powerfully at the center, her ten radiating orange arms fanning out with various weapons like silver sword, bow and arrow, chakra, vajra, spear, trishula and others. By her feet is the slain green-skinned demon king, Mahishasura, who emerges from a decapitated blue buffalo torso at the base. Durga’s face features elongated, large fish-shaped eyes and a sharp nose with a golden nose ring, topped by an elaborate crown. She is wrapped in a rich crimson-red sari beautifully detailed with hundreds of fine white star clusters and cross-hatched borders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDurga is mounted upon her fierce, tiger-striped yellow lion companion, which fills the lower center of the canvas with an oversized head, large almond eyes, and a dark brown mane. The green demon Mahishasura is depicted mid-fall, his chest adorned with an intricate, cross-hatched silver chain mail vest and his legs wrapped in a blue garment patterned with fine white rosettes. The entire dramatic battle unfolds against a dark terracotta background speckled with thousands of fine white star points, enclosed within a clean, dark charcoal outer border.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis painting serves as the ultimate celebration of the victory of good over evil within the Bengal Shakta tradition. Through her deliberate use of intense color blocking, fierce facial geometry, and overlapping animal forms, Sonali Chitrakar strips away unnecessary clutter to deliver an exceptionally clean and powerful image of spiritual sovereignty and cosmic triumph.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sonali Chitrakar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48408975343830,"sku":null,"price":7000.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1194\/1498\/files\/1._Mahishasura_Mardini_with_the_Golden_Lion_in_Kalighat_by_Sonali_Chitrakar.png?v=1782724634","url":"https:\/\/www.memeraki.com\/products\/mahishasura-mardini-with-the-golden-lion-in-kalighat-by-sonali-chitrakar","provider":"Memeraki Retail and Tech Pvt Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}