Important Notice

Kaamdhenu

Ink and mineral pigments on tussar silk
38.5 x 43.5 in (97.8 x 110.5 cm)



Also known as 'Surabhi', 'Kaamdhenu' is a cow goddess, regarded as the mother of all cattle and provider of unlimited prosperity and sustenance. Rather than worshipped at specific temples, Kaamdhenu is venerated through a general honouring of cows. She is either depicted as a cow-woman hybrid with a peacock's tail and wings, or as a white cow, containing images of various deities within her body and the Himalayas on her legs. The present lot, painted on silk in the pattachitra style, is one of the latter depictions. Here, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva float above Kaamdhenu, while the Sun and Moon gods rest above her eyes, and various other gods within her body and tail.

Pattachitra painting developed around religious centres in Orissa like Konark and Puri, and recalls the ancient murals of the region. These finely detailed works are created on layers of primed cloth or 'patta', and were originally used to worship on days when the temples were inaccessible because the idols were being bathed. Pattachitra paintings are created using extremely fine brushes and colours derived from natural sources like the conch shell and lamp soot.

Other similar works in: this auction  |  entire site