Poster

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. This is a festival announcement poster.

Scene represents marriage of Meenakshi.

popular religious art

Meenakshi, or 'fish-eyed' goddess, signifies beauty and attentiveness. As a patron deity, she offers protection from poverty. As consort she is considered the incarnate of Parvati, chief consort to Shiva, lord of paradox, both creator and destroyer of the universe. She is identified by: green skin; age as sixteen years to represent the prime of maidenhood; parrot on lotus which she holds as symbol of fertility and beauty; with Shiva to represent the divine couple; three white ash bands on forehead to identify her as a devotee of Shiva; and garlands and ornaments to glorify her as the epitome of the eternal jewel. Vishnu, preserver of the universal order, establishes law and order and protects the world from evil and destruction through ten earthly incarnations. He is identified by: rotating discus; six-petaled lotus; mace symbolizing his power of knowledge; white conch shell; gold crown; and his flying mount, Garuda. Shiva is identified also in this illustrated re-enactment of the wedding of Meenakshi to Shiva.

Rectangular poster of three standing figures; Meeakshi flanked by two four-armed males; Vishnu on the right, Shiva on the left. Black-haired female in red sari with pink, green and white striped floral garland. On left, male dressed in blue and red dhoti holds gold pot in one of his hands while pouring it towards one outstretched hand each of female and other male. Latter dressed in yellow and blue dhoti with pink, green and white striped floral garland off shoulders. All figures wear gold shoulder, neck and waist ornaments; the men each wear tall gold crown; Meeakshi and Vishnu each hold pink lotus in hand on right. Remaining two hands of Vishnu each hold one object: trident and object made from three stacked gold diamond shapes. Shiva holds two gold diamond motif objects, one in each of two hands. Fourth hand not visible. Also has red u on forehead while Vishnu has three white horizontal, parallel lines and red dot on forehead. Background is blue. All of the figures stand on a rocky, brown green outcrop above with purple temple-like structure stretching across poster's base. Line of white and line of yellow Indian script with date below temple; red script at poster's top.