Object of the week: Pilgrims to Nathdwara take these paintings home
Pichwai paintings were born in the temple town of Nathdwara in Rajasthan and centre the 8-year-old deity, Shrinathji
Hinduism
Dark Mother – Goddesses of wrath
Within the mythology of the Mother Goddess there exists a duality. Just as her benevolent aspects are depicted in many forms, here are some of her fiercest and most terrifying forms
Work & worship – Goddesses of learning and living
The road to learning—and earning—is guided by these benevolent goddesses
Hindu Temple Architecture
A Sarmaya guide to Hindu temple architecture through our collection of rare photographs
Ulterior Motifs – Icons & Symbols That Define Madhubani Art
A brief look at the techniques, symbols and themes to which Madhubani artists return again and again for sustenance and grounding. These are the artistic and spiritual leitmotifs of Madhubani paintings
‘Divinity Code: Reading Hindu Mythology’ by Devdutt Pattanaik
Listen as Devdutt energetically tackles big existential questions with intelligence and humour
Pattachitra: Krishna Leela
This pattachitra describes Krishna and Balarama leaving Vrindavan to go to Dwarka – where Krishna settled and ruled as king. Gopis can be seen lining ahead of the chariot and bidding him farewell. Since this a modern rendition of the legend the figures are actually shown waving to each other – a gesture borrowed from… Read more »
Pattachitra: Story of Jagannath
This is an Orissa Pattachitra detailing the Jagannath temple in Puri, along with other scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The pattachitra tradition is an indegenous artform of Orissa, where religious paintings are done on a canvas created with cotton cloth (called patta). The colours emploed are also natural – derived from various minerals… Read more »
Shiva and Dasha Mahavidyas
This artwork is a Mithila painting of Shiva, Sati and her ten forms called the ‘Dasa Mahavidyas’ created by Mithila artist Poonam Devi. Madhubani or Mithila painting is part of the cultural identity of Bihar and Mithila, a historical region that folded in parts of present-day Nepal. Originally ritualistic murals done on the interior walls… Read more »
Pattachitra: Krishna Ras Leela
This is a pattachitra created by Akshaya Kumar Bariki, and dealing with the theme of Krishna Raas Lila. The centre of this painting depicts Krishna and Radha sitting under the Kadamba tree, being attended to by gopis. Around the main image are two circular registers occupied by figures of Krishna and the gopis dancing. The… Read more »
Phad: Pabuji ki Phad
The ‘phad’ is a tradition of narrative scroll paintings, practiced by the bhopa tribes of Rajasthan. They are primarily made of two icons – Devnarayan and Pabuji. These were village heroes in popular history who were later deified over time – much like the creation of icons in mainstream Hinduism as well. This particular one… Read more »
Krishna Leela
This Odisha Pattachitra by Akshaya Kumar Bariki illustrates Krishna Leela. The middle panel features Krishna and Radha in an embrace. As Odisha Pattachitras were traditionally used as personal home shrines, the central icons are always larger and primary. This is followed by supporting stories and images around them, which are smaller in size to symbolise… Read more »