The ancient texts create an image of Krishna as an ideal human being on one hand and an incarnation of a supreme deity on the other. His life is a constant favourite with the artist of Mithila. This painting tells the story of Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya who resided in River Yamuna. His poisonous vapour contaminated the water and the surrounding atmosphere. After a long tug, Krishna captured his hoods and started dancing on them. The wives of the serpent, known as the nagapatnis, saw their husband being subdued by the Lord. In this painting, these nagapatnis are seen praying to Krishna and asking him forgiveness on behalf of their husband. True to Krishna's iconic image, he is shown blue bodied wearing a pitamber (pit means yellow, amber means garment). The nagapatnis are dressed in ornate crowns and jewellery. They are all making gestures of obeisance towards the Lord. Orange, pink, yellow, blue are extravagantly used. Not related to the tale are two cows shown around the serpent. This is done intentionally by the Mithila artist in order to fill empty spaces, as they do with flowers and leaves in every vacant spot. For them emptiness amounts to infertility and hence inauspiciousness.
This description by Kiranjyot
Of Related Interest:
Krishna Vanquishes Kaliya (Brass Sculpture)
Krishna and Kaliya (Brass Statue)
Dancing over Kaliya (Batik Painting On Cotton)
The Divinity of Krishna (Hardcover Book)
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