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.

popular religious art

The god, Krishna, is most easily identified by the blue hue to his skin and the flute which he holds in his hands. The flute symbolizes the cowherds of his youth. A peacock and a bovine are often depicted with Krishna.

Rectangular shaped calendar print depicting a dark-haired male, Krishna, playing the flute while standing with his right leg crossed over his left. He is wearing a yellow dhoti, blue waist wrap and a red cloth over his shoulders. He is adorned with gold bracelets, armlets, necklaces and earrings. There is a peacock feather in his gold, jeweled headdress. Krishna is standing in front of a large, white bovine. On right is a blue and green peacock with coloured tail feathers. There are flowers and foliage on the ground; tree on left, river and rocks on right. Mountains against orange sky.