Devi Chamunda In Her Ferocious Elements Painting by Exotic India Art

Madhubani art is known for its love of Devi themes. It is no wonder because the East, where the village of Madhubani is located, is where Devi worship has flourished since time immemorial. Devi Chamunda, the subject of this Madhubani painting, is the most beloved of the Devis in this part of the subcontinent where she is worshipped in Her Mahishasuramardini roopa as depicted here. While the iconography of the subject is replete, the treatment is on the unconventional side.

Having originated amongst the region’s homebound women who were in a bid to decorate their simple mud dwellings, Madhubani paintings keep to spiritual themes and deva-devi depictions. This work is no exception to such a rule. The slender dashabhujadhari (ten-armed) Devi, with Her trusty vahana the lion, vanquishes the adharmi Mahishasura (buffalo-demon) and his vahana. She pins them down, gazing straight into the demon’s eyes with an expression of triumph and finality.

The colour palette of this work of art of Devi Chamunda In Her Ferocious Elements Painting is dominated by ochre, which makes up the solid-coloured background. The figures in the painting feature understated pastels applied with superfine brushstrokes, complemented by a sparing proportion of black. This is quite unusual, given that Madhubanis are typically painted in thick black lines which are rarely ever filled in with colour. This one would therefore make a statement addition to your folk art collection or an expressive one to your pooja-room.