The Holy Embrace: Parvati Ganesha in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar

Kalighat paintings, originating from nineteenth century Kolkata near the Kalighat Kali Temple, are a vibrant expression of Bengali folk art. Created on simple paper using brushes, these paintings captured the essence of daily life and mythological stories, employing bold lines and vivid colors for the temple's visiting pilgrims. In Sonali Chitrakar's captivating Kalighat rendition, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are depicted in a harmonious and intimate pose, seated together upon a stylized lotus, symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and auspiciousness. This portrayal beautifully blends the divine attributes of both deities, showcasing their combined significance. Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, radiates grace and benevolence. Her face, rendered with the large, expressive eyes typical of Kalighat art, exudes a gentle and serene demeanor. Her posture conveys tranquility and abundance. She wears a deep maroon saree adorned with intricate white patterns and frilled edges, adding a touch of elegance. Her ornate jewelry is also detailed, and the use of white highlights on her saree and jewelry enhances their visual appeal. Her multiple arms, subtly suggested, are a symbol of her divine power and emphasize her role as the bestower of blessings. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, the God of Wisdom, and the harbinger of auspicious beginnings, is depicted with his iconic elephant head. His large ears and trunk are meticulously detailed, showcasing the artist's skill. His posture is one of gentle affection, leaning slightly towards Lakshmi, suggesting a close mother-son relationship between the two deities. His small eyes, though rendered in the simplified Kalighat style, convey a sense of wisdom and serenity. The lotus seat on which Lakshmi and Ganesha are seated is rendered in vibrant shades of pink and orange, its pointed petals adding a dynamic element to the composition. Below the lotus, stylized water lilies and leaves are depicted in shades of green, suggesting a serene aquatic environment. The backdrop, a deep blue, provides a striking contrast to the warm tones of Lakshmi and Ganesha, effectively making them the focal point of the painting. Sonali Chitrakar's work exemplifies the key characteristics of Kalighat painting: bold outlines, vibrant colors, and simplified forms. The painting's narrative strength lies in its ability to convey the auspicious and harmonious union of Lakshmi and Ganesha, symbolizing the combined blessings of wealth, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles. This Kalighat rendition offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of West Bengal through its intimate portrayal of the deities and its vibrant artistic style.

Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the artwork.

The sizes mentioned are excluding the borders of the artwork.

Frames shown are for visual representation only and are not included with the artwork. We offer framing services on demand at additional costs. If you wish to get your artwork framed, please reach out to us on WhatsApp or email.

We take custom artwork orders, please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at wecare@memeraki.com to discuss your requirements in more detail.

We ship worldwide, Our Prices are inclusive of GST/Taxes in India. For international orders, any specific custom duties you may encounter in your home country during the delivery has to borne by the buyer.

For all artworks except Lippan and Terracotta, No additional charges are applicable for domestic deliveries. For international artwork orders shipping charges of 4000 INR* are applicable.

For Lippan and Terracotta Artworks, We charge a Shipping rate on a per Kilogram basis.

*Extra charges may apply for both domestic and international deliveries in the following cases:

• International artwork orders where the artwork's smaller side measures more than 36 inches.
• Extra charges are applicable for Express Shipping. Contact support to check availability for your order.
• Orders with more than 2 product types in the cart.

All artworks are packed and couriered securely in a tube.

Ready To Ship/ In Stock artworks are shipped in under 2 weeks. We only accept return requests for Ready to Ship/ In stock artworks placed within a week from date of delivery. However, no returns can be accepted for international deliveries.

Made To Order artworks will take 2-3 weeks to be made and shipped once they are ready. Returns are not applicable on Made To Order artworks.

Once your order is placed, our team will stay in constant communication with the artist to track the progress and ensure the quality of your order. You will receive regular updates from us throughout this process.

All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.