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Not currently on display at the V&A

Kaliya

Painting
ca. 1760 - ca. 1765 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Basohli (made)

This painting is one of a series of illustrations to the Bhagavata Purana, a Sanskrit text whose tenth book deals with the life of the god Krishna. The powerful, many-headed serpent Kaliya had poisoned the waters of the river Kalindi and all creatures merely breathing the winds bearing its moisture were dying instantly. Krishna vanquished Kaliya, dancing on his hoods. Kaliya’s wives are seen offering Krishna salutations. Kaliya was sent away to the ocean, but would be protected from his enemy, the eagle Garuda, by the marks of Krishna’s feet.


Object details

Categories
Hinduism
Religion
Paintings
Bonita Trust Indian Paintings Cataloguing Project
Animals and Wildlife
Object type
Painting
TitleKaliya (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque water-colour on paper
Opaque Watercolour
Paper
Paint
Painted
Brief description
Painting, Bhagavata Purana, submission of Kaliya, opaque watercolour on paper, Guler style at Basohli, ca. 1760-1765
Physical description
Painting, in opaque water-colour on paper, Krishna in a dark yellow dhoti stands on the bank of the river Jamuna having subdued the serpent Kaliya. The snake's two wives show submission by bowing to Krishna, one offering him a lotus flower. From a 'fifth' Bhagavata Purana series.
Dimensions
  • With border height: 300mm
  • Width: 337mm
  • Height: 232mm
  • With border width: 400mm
Red border with narrow black margin and white rules. Numbered 68.
Styles
Pahari
Guler
Gallery label
THE SUBMISSION OF KALIYA Opaque water-colour and gold on paper Basohli, Punjab Hills c. 1760-65 IS.38-1960 This painting is one of a series of illustrations to the Bhagavata Purana, a Sanskrit text whose tenth book deals with the life of the god Krishna. The powerful, many-headed serpent Kaliya had poisoned the waters of the river Kalindi and all creatures merely breathing the winds bearing its moisture were dying instantly. Krishna vanquished Kaliya, dancing on his hoods. Kaliya's wives are seen offering Krishna salutations. Kaliya was sent away to the ocean, but would be protected from his enemy, the eagle Garuda, by the marks of Krishna's feet.(06/2008)
Production
Guler style at Basohli
Subjects depicted
Women
Krishna
Kaliya
Literary referenceBhagavata Purana
Summary
This painting is one of a series of illustrations to the Bhagavata Purana, a Sanskrit text whose tenth book deals with the life of the god Krishna. The powerful, many-headed serpent Kaliya had poisoned the waters of the river Kalindi and all creatures merely breathing the winds bearing its moisture were dying instantly. Krishna vanquished Kaliya, dancing on his hoods. Kaliya’s wives are seen offering Krishna salutations. Kaliya was sent away to the ocean, but would be protected from his enemy, the eagle Garuda, by the marks of Krishna’s feet.
Bibliographic references
  • Indian paintings from the Punjab Hills : a survey and history of Pahari miniature painting / by W. G. Archer ; foreword by Sherman E. Lee. London :Delhi: Sotheby Parke Bernet ;Oxford University Press, 1973 Number: 0856670022 p. 49, cat. no. 22 iii.
  • Khanna, Balraj; Krishna: The Divine Lover, South Bank Centre, London 1997, ISBN 1 85332 166 4 cat. no. 43
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.38-1960

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Record createdJuly 21, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O41875/kaliya-painting-unknown/
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