Hand-Painted Kalighat Painting of Lord Shiva with Nandi

This Kalighat painting on cloth and paper depicts Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, presented in a dramatic yet devotional folk idiom characteristic of the Kalighat school. Shiva occupies the central position, suspended in a graceful dance pose above a stylized landscape of rounded, patterned forms that suggest mountains or sacred ground. His ash-blue body is outlined with confident, flowing lines, and a radiant white halo behind his head emphasizes his divine presence. One hand holds a trident, another a flame symbolizing destruction, while the remaining hands form expressive gestures that balance creation and protection. Shiva is shown seated upon or dancing above Nandi, the sacred bull, who is rendered in soft whites and greys with decorative detailing, reinforcing his role as Shivas loyal vehicle. The surrounding figuressaints, devotees, and divine attendantsare arranged symmetrically around the central figure, their raised hands and musical instruments suggesting reverence, movement, and sound. Their faces, with large almond-shaped eyes and simplified expressions, reflect the Kalighat painters focus on emotional immediacy rather than realism. The palette is warm and vibrant, dominated by reds, yellows, whites, and blues, applied in flat washes with minimal shading. Decorative borders frame the composition, while the background remains uncluttered, allowing the figures to command attention. Executed on cloth and paper, the painting combines sacred symbolism with popular visual language, making the divine accessible to everyday viewers. The scene conveys both cosmic energy and devotional intimacy, embodying the spirit of Kalighat art as a bridge between mythology, ritual, and folk expression.

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