Lot Essay
Kali, the embodiment of the destructive power of time, stands astride the body of Shiva, representing the destroyed universe. She stands naked apart from a garland of severed heads and a vanamala of human corpses. Her nakedness is a sign of her purity and she holds a severed head, symbolic of human ego. Behind her we see a stark orange funeral ground populated only by flaming pyres, jackals and vultures.
In comparison to other Pahari schools in the eighteenth century, Mandi painting remained fairly static. Painting of the court would also move to a popular level making dating somewhat more difficult. However, one development useful in this task is the movement of very high and straight horizon line to a curving one, as found here.
In comparison to other Pahari schools in the eighteenth century, Mandi painting remained fairly static. Painting of the court would also move to a popular level making dating somewhat more difficult. However, one development useful in this task is the movement of very high and straight horizon line to a curving one, as found here.