Kali Fighting Demons

2009.136

Kali Fighting Demons

2009.136

Description

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana.

This painting illustrates one of the most dramatic moments described in the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana (canto 87). The Great Goddess manifested a fierce form of herself known a Kali, to destroy two invincible demons–Chanda and Munda. When the asura army fell into disarray as she “fell upon the great asuras impetuously dealing slaughter among the host”, Chanda and Munda rushed against her. The foreground depicts the finale of the episode.

This folio is one of the several sets of the Devi Mahatmya series produced by the Guler artists around 1780. They are obviously traced from the same charba as their basic composition is the same, the difference being only in detailing and palette.

Karl & Meherbai Khandalavala Collection.

Collection

Indian Miniature Paintings

Object Type

Miniature Painting

Material

Indian Miniature Paintings

Schools/Culture/Period

Pahari

Technique

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Date

1781

Location

Guler

Dimension

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