Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum & N. C. Mehta Gallery present

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum & N. C. Mehta Gallery present

Shaktirupa

The Hindu mythologies describe the Goddess in different forms. It is fascinating to observe how they appear independently, rather than as the consorts of Gods. She is Parvati or Uma - not only the Mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya, but also the Jagat-janani, Mother of every living being in the World. She is indeed a consort of Lord Shiva and also the Maya, who wakes up Lord Vishnu from yoga nidra (yogic sleep) to kill the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. The serene smile on her many faces is the embodiment of tranquillity, which can also transform into the ferocious roar of Kali or Chamunda, the most grotesque form of Goddess. She can go to any extent to save her children, can even behead herself with her own nails, to be Chhinnamasta. She is also worshipped as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is the epitome of beauty - she is Radha, Priyashi (loved one) of Krishna and also Rama's Sita, who chooses to follow her husband in exile over the luxury of a queen..

Let's bow to her lotus feet.

Description of the images:

Image 1: (Detail of a painting) Parvati with her family, Kangra Kalam, Pahari, 1800-1805 A.D.

Image 2: (Detail of a drawing) Parvati sitting with her husband, Jaipur school, Rajasthan, c. 1770 A.D.

Image 3: (Detail of a painting) Kali, Kangra Kalam, Pahari, Late 18th Century A.D.

Image 4: Radha on the bed of lotus with Krishna (Detail of a painted folio from Gita Govinda), Guler kalam, Pahari, 1765-1770 A.D

Image 5: (Detail of a painting) Tripurasundari, Chamba Kalam, Pahari, c. 1725-1775 A.D.

Image 6: (Detail of a painting) Sita outside leaf hut with Rama, Kangra Kalam, c. 1820 A.D.

Image 7: (Detail of a painting) Chhinnamasta with two attendants, Kangra Kalam, Pahari, c. 1850 A.D.

Image 8: (Detail of a painting) Goddess Kamala (Gajalakshmi), Kashmiri style, Pahari, 19th century A.D.

Image 9: (Detail of a drawing) Chamunda (Kali), battling with demon Raktabija, Guler Kalam, Pahari, End of 18th century A.D.

Image courtesy: From the collection of Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum and N.C. Mehta Gallery

Music: Yellow Tunes

Created by: the curatorial team of Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum and N.C. Mehta Gallery