Kaali
Ravi Varma Press1890
Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
Bengaluru, India
One of the rare works of Ravi Varma which has instant, violent impact. Known for his portrayals of beautiful, quaint and evocative works, Ravi Varma steps out of his zone with this work of Goddess Kali. She is variously worshipped as Adi Shakti and Parashakti. With the demon Daruka creating havoc and becoming unstoppable after receiving a boon that only a female can kill him, Parvati merges with Shiva's body and reappears as Kali to slay Daruka. Dancing with the severed head, Kali's unquenchable thirst for blood is only calmed when Shiva lies down before her and she unwittingly steps on him causing her to put her tongue out as she realises the enormity of the situation.
- Title: Kaali
- Creator: Ravi Varma Press
- Date Created: 1890
- Physical Dimensions: 20 x 30 cm
- Type: Reproduction
- Original Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
- Rights: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
- Art Form: Print
- Labels and Inscriptions: Ravi Vaibhav Press, Ghatkopar
- Creator's Lifetime: 1848-04-29/1906-10-02
- About the Artist: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), India’s foremost artist, who took art to the masses, hailed from Kilimanoor, in the erstwhile state of Travancore. From a very young age, Ravi Varma, was drawn towards art, imbibing techniques from his uncle and mentor Raja Raja Varma and his mother, Umayamba Bayi, a poet in her own right. Varma was much sought after by the Royals and owing to his popularity and reputation, his spectacular and richly-textured works were prolific. His realistic portrayals of contemporary figures and interpretations of religious and mythological figures fetched him instant and enduring success, lifting his standing in the art world. If the Royals and his countrymen were in awe of this great talent, the international world was spellbound by his imagination and creativity. He ensured that art would be accessible to all, through reproductions of his paintings which were made available, and affordable to everyone.
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