Krishna Subduing Kaliya, the Snake Demon: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Medium
Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions
8 x 10 1/2 in. (20.3 x 26.7 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture
Northern India, Garwhal, Himachal Pradesh
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1927
Accession Number
27.37
Tags
About this artwork
Krishna Subduing Kaliya, the Snake Demon: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series by First generation after Manaku and Nainsukh, ca. 1785. Created in Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, this work exemplifies the artistic practices and cultural values of its period. The piece reflects the technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities characteristic of its historical and cultural context. As part of the Asian Art collection, it contributes to our understanding of artistic development and cultural expr...
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio from a *Bhagavata Purana* series captures the dramatic moment when Krishna subdues Kaliya, the venomous multi-headed snake demon polluting the Yamuna River.rawn from Hindu mythology in the sacred *Bhagavata Purana* text, the scene depicts the young god Krishna triumphantly dancing on Kaliya's coils, surrounded by his devotees, gopis, and divine onlookers. Created around 1785 in Northern India's Garwhal and Himachal regions—heartlands of Pahari painting—this work reflects the devotional fervor of the Bhakti movement, blending spiritual narrative with exquisite visual storytel...