Interpreting Kali's Complexities
Date
2024
Authors
Hinshelwood, Elisabeth C.
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
Interpreting Kali’s Complexities explores the ways in which social and political structures and changes have impacted depictions of the Hindu goddess Kali. Beginning with an overview of the history and iconography of Kali, we begin in the 6th century with the Devi Mahatmya as the definitive scripture on Hindu goddesses. In this text, her origin story can be found, where she is described as the incarnation of Durga’s rage. Moving forward in time to the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily focusing on Northwestern India, we explore how artists stylistically understand and shift her iconography to align with or fight against the advent of British colonialism.
Description
Keywords
Kali, hindu, tantra, feminism, art history, South Asian art