However, the story of Krishna and Kaliya is an important narration from the Vishnu Purana. The river Yamuna was the home of the serpent Kaliya who made its waters boil, so that the trees on its banks were blighted by its fumes and birds were killed by its heat. Krishna challenged the serpent and vanquished him in the terrible fight that followed.
This kalamkari depicts Krishna dancing on the multiple hoods of Kaliya. Seeing the plight of their husband, the nagapatnis come out and offer prayers to the Lord, pleading for Kaliya's life. Moved by the intercession of the nagapatnis, he forgave the serpent and asked him to forsake the Yamuna and take abode in the sea.
The artist has used minimum colours and achieved near symmetrical harmony. The semi-circle of the hood of the serpent in the foreground is balanced by the halo behind Krishna in the background. The left and the right side are also in perfect harmony by similar shapes and postures of the female serpents. The tandava-like pose of Krishna is reminiscent of Shiva as much as the halo reminds of the circle of fire around Nataraja.
This description by Renu Rana.
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