Cloth and Paper Kalighat Painting of Goddess Durga Slaying Mahishasura

This Kalighat painting on cloth and paper presents a powerful and celebratory vision of Goddess Durgas victory over Mahishasura, rendered in the bold, narrative-driven style that defines the Kalighat tradition of 19th-century Bengal. At the center, Durga stands poised and commanding, her multiple arms radiating outward in rhythmic symmetry, each hand bearing a weapon or gesture of protection. Her expression is calm yet resolute, underscoring divine control even in the midst of cosmic battle. Beneath her, the lion lunges forward, claws extended, while the buffalo demon Mahishasura collapses in defeatan iconic moment symbolizing the triumph of dharma over chaos. Surrounding the central drama is a vibrant assembly of gods, goddesses, devotees, and attendants, arranged in a theatrical, almost stage-like setting. Their exaggerated almond-shaped eyes, simplified facial features, and fluid outlines are hallmarks of Kalighat painting, designed for immediate visual impact and storytelling clarity. The palette, dominated by earthy reds, warm ochres, greens, and blacksis applied in flat, confident washes, allowing the figures to stand out crisply against patterned architectural backdrops and checkered floors. Executed on cloth and paper, the painting balances sacred intensity with folk accessibility. Decorative borders frame the scene, while ritual offerings and musical gestures at the bottom reinforce the festive, devotional atmosphere. Altogether, the work captures not just a mythological episode, but the living spirit of popular worship, performance, and belief that Kalighat artists sought to bring into everyday spaces.

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