Matangi, an esoteric form of Parvati - Sasadhar Banarjee

A 19th-century lithograph depicting the Hindu goddess Matangi, rendered with traditional iconography and hand-applied watercolour details.

This lithograph depicts Matangi, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu tantric tradition, presented here as an esoteric manifestation of the goddess Parvati. The work is attributed to the artist Sasadhar Banarjee, a figure associated with the popular print culture of late 19th-century Bengal. The print reflects the synthesis of traditional Indian iconography with the technical influence of European lithographic methods that became common in Kolkata during this period.

The goddess is shown with four arms, seated upon a throne that appears to float above a stylised, marshy ground. Her skin is rendered in a cool, blue tone, contrasting with the warm, golden hues of her garment. She holds symbolic implements in her hands, including a goad and a noose, which are characteristic of her iconography. The background features a soft, atmospheric treatment of distant hills and trees, framed by a decorative border that includes Sanskrit inscriptions at the top and bottom. These inscriptions identify the deity and provide liturgical context for the viewer.

Technically, the work employs a combination of printed lines and hand-applied watercolour washes. This method allowed for the mass production of religious imagery, making such depictions accessible to a wider public beyond the traditional temple or elite domestic settings. The composition balances the formal requirements of religious portraiture with a gentle, almost dreamlike quality in the surrounding environment. The paper shows signs of age, including discolouration and wear, which are typical for prints of this era that were often displayed in household shrines. This piece offers a clear view into the visual culture of colonial-era India, where religious devotion met the industrialisation of print media.