Tara

Registered work (non-exportable)

This painting depicts the Mahavidya Tara, identifiable from her tiger-skin covering and her weapons as she kneels over the naked body of her consort Shiva. She is adorned with jewellery and a heavy garland as she holds a khadaga (scimitar), a sword, a lotus and a bowl in her four hands. This religious episode is heightened with vibrant colours traditionally associated with the deities in focus. For instance, Shiva’s throat is blue, identifying him as neelkanth (the blue-necked one) from the Amrit Manthan episode when Shiva consumes a deadly poison to protect all living beings. While the two figures are seated on a large lotus, within a lush waterbody, the rest of the setting shows burning pyres, indicating a cremation ground.