Print

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 print was produced, framed, and displayed in a prayer room for 'puja' or worship.

popular religious art

Rectangular shaped calendar print depicting Karpagambal a four-armed, green-faced goddess wearing a pink sari detailed with yellow and green. She is standing on a circular red and gold, three-tiered platform placed under arch of ornately sculpted gold altar. Karpagambal is adorned with large gold jewelry, colourful breast plate and gold crown with a projection out to the side. Around her shoulders are one thick and one thin floral garland in white, pink, green, yellow and black. She is holding three gold objects, one in each hand: parrot and two containers with long tail projections. Outward-facing palms of two front hands each have red dot pattern. Two hanging lamps and four pedestal lamps flank altar. In front are four silver chalices and silver bowl with silver shell in it. Dark blue ground. Image surrounded by border of lamps.