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

Half-human, half-monkey deity, Hanuman, the ubiquitous servant to Rama, is the epitome of devoted service and loyalty. His search for the heroine Sita, captured by the demon Ravana, and his help to Rama in this quest, illustrates his superhuman powers and zealous performance of tasks that were given to him. Also identified by: pearl necklace presented by Sita to him upon her rescue; gold mace (gada) representing righteousness and royal power; cymbals used in prayer and worship to represent Hanuman's faith to Rama; magic girdle around waist, giving the powers of invisibility; and puffed out cheeks to represent the expiration of breath, symbol of wind.

Rectangular shaped calendar print. Depicted is Hanuman with monkey facial features and tail floating in air on his stomach. Green and blue background has yellow castle-like structure. Yellow mace held in his right hand; the other holds a dark dish with cylindrical shaped object and a pink flower on top. Hanuman wears yellow cloth wrap from waist; streaming red cloth sashes. Inset at lower middle is an image of a cylindrical shaped object on altar surrounded by one female and three males. Name Murugakani, C. S. written in yellow. Design no.593, "Sree Anjaneya" at top of lower grey area.