Goddess Kali: The Transcendent Deity
Explore the diverse representations of Kali through different art forms of India.
Goddess Kali is portrayed in diverse forms across India, largely reflecting the various ways in which she has merged with the local traditions and cultural fabric of different regions of the country. 'Kali' is derived from the word 'Kala' which means both darkness and time. It is believed that Kali represents the force of time, carrying both destruction and creation of life and the universe. Thus, this Goddess is unique in the way she is formless and absolute, and at the same time capricious in her ever changing forms.
Dokra Diya (2018) by Artist from BiknaBanglanatak
Lighting up homes and hearts of Indians, Diwali is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and is known for heralding positive beginnings. Goddess Kali is worshipped widely during Diwali in the eastern part of India.
Kalighat Style Patachitra of Kali (2018) by Rahaman ChitrakarBanglanatak
A Brief History
It is believed that Kali has been worshipped in different forms since the 3rd century BCE and has evolved from a wild and fierce deity into a domesticated Goddess over time, still retaining her multiple personas. Her manifestations are rooted in regional, rural and indigenous cultures and belief systems of South Asia, beyond the mainstream Hindu religion.
She holds a severed human head, with blood dripping from it, in one of her four hands.
Iconography of Kali
In all forms of representation, Goddess Kali is usually depicted as naked, in blue or black skin colour signifying the sky and the ocean, and seen with her tongue hanging out.
This is a Bengal Patachitra painting by artist Rahaman Chitrakar from Naya village of Pingla in West Medinipur, West Bengal.
She is holding her weapons, Trishul (trident) and Vajra (lightning), in two of her hands.
In another hand, she holds a Khara (sword).
Here, the goddess is seen stepping on her consort, Lord Shiva. It is believed that when she was intoxicated with demons' blood that she sucked to destroy the demonic evil once and for all, she had become violent and destructive, until she stepped on Lord Shiva.
The fox on the right is the mount of Goddess Kali.
Santhal Patachitra of Kali (2019) by Artist from MajramuraBanglanatak
This is a Santhal Patachitra, a traditional indigenous art form of the Santhals of Purulia and Bankura in Bengal. Kali is seen here wearing a necklace of human skulls which signifies the alphabets of the Sanskrit language
This is a painting by Rabi Chitrakar of Majramura, Purulia.
Santhal Patachitra of Kali (2019) by Artist from MajramuraBanglanatak
Kali's representation in Santhal Patachitra stands out for its simple style, minimal background and not so bright colours derived from stones. Here the use of colours, motifs and composition are unique to their indigenous culture. Their art is integrally linked to their daily lives.
Madhubani Painting of Goddess Kali (2019) by Artist from MadhubaniBanglanatak
Alongside being the Goddess of darkness, destruction, and death, Kali is also a symbol of Mother Nature because she is believed to be timeless and formless, representing the creation of life and the universe as well.
This is a Madhubani painting from Madhubani district of Bihar.
Kali in Madhubani Painting (2019) by Vidyanath JhaBanglanatak
Nature is an important element of Madhubani paintings, and that is seen in this painting of Kali as well. She is represented as loving, caring and benevolent and hence referred to as Kali Ma (mother).
Depiction of Kali in Madhubani Painting (2019) by Artist from MadhubaniBanglanatak
Kali is believed to have existed in tribal culture before she was integrated into the Vedic, or orthodox, Hindu tradition. She was also imbibed in Tantric practices and rituals.
This is a Tantric style Madhubani painting in which one can see the use of Tantric symbols along with depiction of the Goddess in her different Tantric forms.
The different forms are called Chamunda Kali, Matangi Kali, Shamsana Kali, Bagala Kali, Bhairavi Kali...
... Shodoshi Kali, Tara Kali...
...Chinna Masta Kali, Kamala Kali and Dhumavati.
Kali in Bohurupi Dance (2018)Banglanatak
This is another depiction of the Tantric forms of Goddess Kali in Bengal Patachitra. In this form of Kali with 10 heads, she is known as the Adyashakti.
This is a painting by artist Rahaman Chitrakar from Naya village of Pingla in West Medinipur, West Bengal.
Wooden Mask Craft and the Artist (2019) by Artist from KushmandiBanglanatak
Kali is also beautifully represented in the local art form of Gomira Mask and Gomira Dance. Gomira mask-dance is an age-old ceremonial tradition of the Rajbangshi communities of North Bengal, and is practised across the rural belts of South and North Dinajpur of Bengal.
A Troupe of Gomira Dancers (2018) by Artist from Dakshin DinajpurBanglanatak
In Gomira dance the artists wear wooden masks of different religious characters and it is believed that while dancing they go into a trance taking on the identity of the mask.
Wooden Mask of Kali (2019) by Artist from Dakshin DinajpurBanglanatak
In the process, they also pray to the Gods and Goddesses for fulfilling their wishes and pledge specific types and numbers of Gomira masks to the deities.
Goddess Kali in Gomira Mask DanceBanglanatak
Offering of Gomira Masks to Goddess Kali during worship
This is a snippet of a ceremony of Goddess Kali where Gomira masks offered to her can be seen. The masks are offered to the Goddess when the wishes of the devotees are granted.
Gomira Dance (2018) by Artist from Dakshin DinajpurBanglanatak
The word ‘Gomira’ comes from the word ‘Gramchandi’ (representing local deity of Shakti). ‘Chandi’ is a manifestation of Kali. The Rajbangshi community of North Bengal believes that Goddess Kali, having her roots in ‘Adyashakti’, is their protector and will ward off evils.
Mukha Khel (2019) by Artist from KushmandiBanglanatak
Interestingly, this Gomira dance is not performed during Diwali though Kali is worshipped to usher in positive energy.
Goddess Kali in Gomira MaskBanglanatak
Gomira Mask of Kali
Gomira mask of Goddess Kali coming to shape from the wooden structure to the colorful, decorated pieces.
Shola Masks of Goddess Kali (2019) by Artists from Dakshin DinajpurBanglanatak
Shola is another traditional ritualistic craft of Dinajpur area, which is used to make Shola masks, both for wearing during Gomira dance and as offering to Goddess Kali.
Goddess Kali in Shola (2019) by Artist from Dakshin DinajpurBanglanatak
Here, a very austere Kali figure is carved out of supple Shola. This use of Shola craft, considered auspicious, is linked to Rajbangshi community's various observances for the protector who will obviate darkness and bring light in their lives.
Kali in Bohurupi Dance (2019) by Artist from PuruliaBanglanatak
Here Kali is represented through Bohurupi performance. It is a folk art form of Bengal where performers put up dramatic enactments through skits and mimicry. They are known for completely disguising themselves into the character they are in - mostly mythological and religious such as Kali, Durga, Shiva and others.
Dokra Candle Holder (2018) by Artist from BiknaBanglanatak
Associated with worshipping Goddess Kali is the tradition of lighting lamps in every household to kindle hope and goodness.
To read a story on Diwali lights visit this link.
