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

Somaskanda group. Such groups are relatively common in south India. This group consists of Shiva, identified by the axe (mazhu), antelope (man), three horizontal white strips (vibutipunaram) on forehead, third eye, and crescent moon on crown symbolizing birth and growth, creation and destruction. Shiva, like other gods, is shown with four arms. Parvati is Shiva's wife, and is the very expression of femininity. She is protrayed often as Shiva's erotic partner. The smallest figure is Karttikeya (Murugan, Skanda) and is particularly popular in south India. He is regarded as son of Shiva and Parvati. In his hand he holds the lance, shakti, and is considered god of war, or as in many Shaivite temples, as a guardian deity.

Square shaped calendar print depicting three gold figures, Shiva, Parvati and Murugan. Shiva and Parvati are seated with the smaller Murugan standing on pedestal between them. On left, Shiva holds axe in upraised hand on left, palm of lowered hand on left facing forward and open. Upraised hand on right holds an antelope and palm of lowered hand on right is facing forward, fingers pointing downwards. Figure wears a white dhoti, is seated on a dark cloth and wears gold crown with crescent moon. Figure has three horizontal white strips on forehead with red oblong mark in centre. Parvati on right is wearing a pink sari lined with green and gold. She is adorned with gold and stoned jewelry. Hand on left is raised to shoulder level. Leg on left is bent at knee with foot crossing over to touch knee of leg on right. Smaller figure on pedestal has three horizontal white marks across forehead. Both hands are at waist height and forward. Lance pointing upwards, rests against Murugan’s chest. He is adorned with gold and stoned jewelry. Three figures wear garlands draped over them and are framed by two pillars with many small lamps attached to them. Along the bottom edge is a conch shell and two, stemmed cups. Writing in print's upper portion states 'N.S.' with 'ASAFOETIDA' underneath. Artist's signature in lower right corner.