NORTH INDIA, MANDI, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

The following paintings are illustrations to the Devi Mahatmya which is the fourth and penultimate part of the Markandeya Purana. The Devi Mahatmya interrupts the discourse between the sage Markandeya and his disciple Kraustiki. It consists of three stories that take place amidist a long battle between gods and demons. In the first, Devi (known by various names including Durga, Kaushiki, Ambika, Kali and Shakti) defeats Madhu and Kaitabha; in the second she kills Mahishasura and in the third, she returns to destroy the twin demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Written between the fifth and ninth centuries, this text led to the dramatic transformation of the female principle into a Great goddess of cosmic powers.
In the present illustrations we see an assembly of demons being entertained by dancers and musicians and the eight-armed goddess destroying demons astride her tiger. These paintings are executed in a distinct Pahari style from the state of Mandi. The present lots are likely of the early masters of the Mandi court as they are executed with the signature lime green ground.