Untitled

In this unconventional representation of Mahishasuramardini by Kalal
Laxma Goud, there is a shared agency between the goddess and her mount, the lion, in defeating Mahishasura, both visually and figuratively. The terracotta figure of the goddess is visualised with four hands holding weapons like a bow and arrow, but the trishul is absent in this rendition. While her lion attacks the asura, it becomes evident that the ongoing battle has not reached the point where the goddess will strike the demon’s head with her trishul. The shades of terracotta bring alive the artist’s closeness to traditional roots, inspired from rural and folk narratives, as well as a decorative style that enhances the portrayal of each of the three characters in the image. Goud is known for his diverse practice depicting surreal, fantastic, rural, and erotic themes through their connections with personal memory. He focuses on visually constructing contemporary artistic techniques and subjects from a rural lens through various mediums