Calendar

Indian popular religious prints have been published for nearly a century, first by German presses, later by Indian ones. The prints may take the form of calendars, posters, or simply images. The style of the representations is European. In the beginning they were Hindu images, but are now acquiring elements both of folk art and a romantic secularism. It is a living art currently influenced by the movie industry and non-Hindu religions. The images are a vehicle for advertising and are also used for religious purposes.

calendar art; popular religious art

Krishna, eighth incarnation of Vishnu is associated with strength, vigor, and life. He is unmindful of the cares of everyday living, and subdues any evil with laughter. Can be shown as the divine child (mischievous, impulsive, spontaneous) or as the divine lover with the milkmaids. His favorite, Radha, shows her adoration for him as symbol of a worshipper's passionate devotion. He calls people to lose themselves in bliss by the sound from his flute. Also identified by: blue grey or light blue skin, peacock feather in tiara, u-shaped Vaishnavite third eye, peacock and bovine, full moon, and landscape settings reminiscent of Gopal Krishna living among the cowherds.

Rectangular shaped calendar print depicting Krishna, a blue skinned male, holding flute with two hands up to mouth, he stands with one leg crossed over in front of the other in front of a white cow in profile. Male wears pink dhoti, green waist sash, gold jeweled crown with peacock feather and pink shawl. He is adorned with gold jewelry along with a white, pink and green floral garland. Cow has gold tipped horns and bells strung around neck. Landscape background has a tree with a large trunk, two peacocks perched on bow, pink and blue blossom along with a lake. Boy and cow stand under tree in grassy area. Scene surrounded by red border with gold floral bands. Print's lower half and strip at top are a light brown.