Kaliyamardan

Description

Originally published by the Ravi Varma Press, bringing classical Hindu mythology into public households across India through mass printed oleographs.

Historical context

This deeply revered oleograph depicts the divine child Krishna dancing triumphantly upon the multi-headed hoods of the venomous serpent Kaliya. Raja Ravi Varma masterfully bridges the gap between classical Indian divinity and European academic realism, capturing the playful yet cosmic grace of the young Lord. As the fearsome dragon yields its poison in the turbulent waters of the Yamuna River, cows graze peacefully in the pastoral background, reminding the devotee of the eternal harmony that follows the taming of chaos. Through works like this, Ravi Varma democratized sacred art, allowing millions of families to welcome the protective presence of Krishna directly into their domestic shrines.