Sri Sri Kali (recto); Kali (verso) 1865 - 1895

Editor: Here we have "Sri Sri Kali," dating from between 1865 and 1895, created by G. C. Dass. It combines lithograph, tempera, ink and other media on paper. It’s… striking. There’s a lot to take in with the figure of Kali, the contrasting colors, and what appears to be a severed head. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its cultural context? Curator: It’s crucial to recognize that Kali, often misunderstood in the West, is a powerful figure representing destruction but also liberation and transformation. These prints circulated widely, making powerful figures accessible beyond traditional temple spaces, reflecting a shift in religious practice and challenging established hierarchies. The use of lithography democratized art, echoing similar movements in Europe, but with distinct cultural and political implications here. Editor: So, the print format itself is significant. It's not just the image but how it circulated. Curator: Exactly. Consider the colonial context: these prints offered a way to assert cultural identity and religious beliefs under colonial rule. How do you see Kali's representation of feminine power challenging or reinforcing gender norms of the time? Editor: Well, the overt display of power through her imagery – the weapons, the severed head – feels like a direct challenge to the colonial patriarchal structures. Curator: Precisely. And think about how this image might have been viewed differently by various social groups - Brahmins, lower castes, women... It embodies complex, often contradictory, ideas about power, gender, and resistance. Editor: That's fascinating, considering it really complicates any singular interpretation of the work. I hadn’t thought about the different potential audiences. Curator: Precisely! Art is always relational and never exists in a vacuum. Considering that changes everything!