Krishna quells the serpent Kaliya (verso), from a Kalighat album
Unknown Artist
c. 1890
Medium
Gum tempera, graphite, and ink on paper
Dimensions
painting only: 25 × 20 cm · secondary support: 48.1 × 29.7 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward
Accession Number
2003.113.b
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The serpent Kaliya was poisoning the water of the Yamuna River near the residence of the cowherding community, where Krishna spent his youth. The animals were dying of the toxins. Krishna wrestled the mighty serpent then emerged from the water to dance on his head. Pleading with Krishna to set him free, Kaliya’s wives are shown like mermaids.