River Ganga
Description
The painting depicts Ganga as a four-armed goddess seated on a lotus on her mount crocodile. Interestingly here her mount crocodile is depicted in form of a composite creature combining crocodile and fish. Ganga is shown holding chakra (discus) and padma (lotus) in her right hand while shankha (conch) and perhaps water lily in her left hand.
Kalighat paintings originated in the vincity of the kallighat temple in Kolkata. Paintings depicting religious themes, and divinities were sold as souvenirs to devotees visiting the temple as well as to tourists. Besides religious themes, the Kalighat paintings also have a theme from daily life.
The Kalighat painting style continues even these days in some parts of Bengal.Along with religious themes, the contemporary Kalighat artists paint current events and important incidents.
Collection
Indian Miniature Paintings
Object Type
Painting
Material
Paper and water colours
Schools/Culture/Period
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Technique
Painting on paper
Date
19th Century CE
Location
Kalighat, West Bengal
Dimension
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