Devi Sarasvati In A Swan-Drawn Chariot

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A traditional kalamkari painting, as finely made as this one, is a rare folk art collectible. It depicts the Devi Sarasvati borne in an open chariot, drawn by a bunch of swans with beauteous plumage. There is a charioteer to keep Her company and the head of a lion at the other end, indicative of the one Shaktiroopa of all Hindu devis. Devi Sarasvati Herself is seated in lalitasana; She is chaturbhujadhari, one possessed of (‘dhari’) four (‘chatur’) arms (‘bhuja’), in two of which She holds of course the veena.

Each aspect of the painting has been done with copious proportions of detail. From the wheels of the chariot to the gigantic paisley-shaped installations on either side at the head; from the figures’ attire and adornments to the plumage of the pristine swans of Her entourage. Upon a brilliant solid-coloured background of red the Devi rides along. The dense composition of the foreground features a characteristic kalamkari palette of black, deep saffron, and pale pinkish cream.