Artistic Depictions
of Hindu Goddesses
1. Icons from the
Ancient & Medieval Periods
Archeological clues suggest that female deities of various types have been
venerated in Indian culture since very ancient times; the clearest examples
are found in the early Buddhist period, dating from the centuries just
before & after the common era. (This fits with literary evidence of the
even earlier Vedic period, which reveals interest in female deities on the
part of ancient brahmans.) In the 5th century CE, however, we find the
first expression of the idea that there is one supreme goddess or Shakti,
whose power and divine status are actually greater than that of the male
powers. The Devi Mahatmya describes the great acts of this goddess,
named Durgaa (“impenetrable one”), as well as her terrifying emanation
Kaalee (“dark one”); and in subsequent centuries we find more & more
stone icons depicting them both. The icons in this section, drawn from the
different periods mentioned above, are generally found on the outside of
monuments or temples dedicated to worship of the male deities & saints.
goddess surrounded by elephants (2nd BCE, west Central India)
goddess or
nature spirit?
(2nd BCE Bengal)
nature spirit on
Buddhist monument
(1st CE,
southeast India)
nature spirit on
Buddhist temple
(Central India)
basic layout for
both Hindu &
Buddhist temples
(2nd CE & later)
river goddess
Yamuna
(5th CE,
Central India)
serpent queen
(11th CE,
east Central India)
Brahma’s Consort
(9th CE,
South India)
Durgaa on Tiger
(14th CE,
southwest India)
Kaalee
(10th CE,
South India)
Shiva linga &
footprints of Vishnu
(10th CE?
Rajasthan)
2. Late Islamic & British Influence
on Indian Architecture
In order to get a more vivid sense of the wider historical context for
depictions of goddesses (Durgaa & Kaalee in particular) during the
colonial period, it is helpful to see a few examples of the architecture &
decorative art that were being sponsored by the British in the major urban
Indian centers of that time. Although British governors stripped Muslim
rulers of any real power, they for the most part kept Indian royalty, known
as Maharajas (“great kings,” either those they had conquered, or others
they installed), in place as ceremonial figures. Many of the structures
commissioned by such rulers, with the support of the British, were palatial
residences & monuments dedicated to fostering the impression that India’s
former glory was being preserved intact. Interestingly, though, such
buildings were significantly influenced by European architectural styles,
and sometimes built out of actual materials imported from Europe.
triumphal gate
(18th CE,
southeast India)
Maharaja’s palace (19th CE central South India)
botanical gardens (19th CE? central South India)
acrobats & circus
performers-city buildings in the
background
(late 18th CE,
northwest India)
3. Goddesses in Manuscript
Painting & Popular Arts
The colonial period whose architecture is featured in the previous section saw the
proliferation of illuminated manuscripts of the Devi Mahatmya. The style of the
illustrations in such manuscripts matched closely the style & coloring developed
in earlier periods by both Muslim & Hindu painters (see section 2 of the previous
slide show, and also IAR, 59,60, & 73). Yet the depiction of the Durgaa &
Kaalee’s bloody rampages in such manuscripts contrast strikingly with the neat
images of courtly life that are often the subject of earlier paintings: Devi
Mahatmya painters clearly intend to show these goddesses intimately linked with
the horrific (and in some cases sexual) aspects of human life. Popular arts on the
other hand, a few contemporary examples of which are shown in the second part
of this final section, honor in more abstract form the presence of goddesses
closely associated with domestic abundance. Such symmetric, aniconic patterns
are integral to the daily life of ordinary housewives adorning their bodies &
homes. Interestingly, though, Shakta theologians who commented on the Devi
Mahatmya used similarly patterns to revere Kaalee & Durgaa in their rituals.
Durgaa
slaying the
buffalo
demon
(18th CE,
manuscript)
Kaalee on slain
demon’s head
(undated)
folk theatre
Kaalee/Durgaa Mask
(late 19th CE,
South India)
Kaalee
standing over
Shiva
(19th CE,
manuscript)
sari cloth wrap (19th CE, north Central India)
entryway decorations (southwest India)
festive doorway
(southwest India)