The Celebration of Divine: Durga as Mahishasura Mardini in Kalighat and Pattachitra Art by Sonali Chitrakar

This powerful and magnificent artwork by Sonali Chitrakar is a striking example of Pattachitra, the traditional cloth scroll painting, enriched by the bold narrative and expressive line work often associated with the Kalighat style. The piece captures the spirit of Pujo, the festival celebrating Goddess Durga, serving as a vibrant visual document of Hindu mythology and spiritual tradition from Bengal.

The artwork vividly visualises the theme of divine power and the triumph of good over evil, centered on the fierce form of the Goddess Durga. The composition is vertically oriented and highly dense, exploding with a vibrant palette dominated by rich reds, blues, ochres, and golds, all sharply defined by strong, expressive black outlines.

The canvas is powerfully anchored by the monumental, multi-armed Goddess Durga, depicted in a commanding Mahishasuramardini (slayer of Mahishasura) pose, standing triumphantly over the demon and her vahana, the lion. This central dramatic action is meticulously framed by a series of narrative panels arranged in horizontal and vertical rows.

These surrounding panels are richly detailed, featuring other prominent deities with their respective vehicles: Goddess Lakshmi with her owl, Lord Ganesha with his mushaka (mouse), Goddess Saraswati with her swan, and Kartikeya with a peacock. The top border is particularly striking, showcasing a row of principal deities—including Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma—set above an arch composed of repeated, stylized lion visages, which emphasizes the omniscient and formidable power of the Goddess. Complementing these divine figures are scenes of devotees joyfully celebrating the festival, depicting the Goddess's arrival and departure seated in a palaki (palanquin). The exceptional detail evident in the figures' clothing, jewelry, and weaponry showcases the artist's masterful command of the traditional narrative style.

Through her exceptional technique, Sonali Chitrakar not only honours the sacred narrative tradition of Pattachitra and Kalighat Art but also creates a timeless work of profound spiritual resonance. This artwork is a compelling visual metaphor for the power of Shakti and the eternal force that restores cosmic order, inviting viewers to contemplate the formidable beauty of the Divine Feminine.

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.

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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.