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Cultural Context

popular religious art; Puja print

History Of Use

Indian popular religious prints have been published for nearly a century, first by German presses, later by Indian ones. The prints may take the form of calendars, posters, or simply images. The style of the representations is European. In the beginning they were Hindu images, but are now acquiring elements both of folk art and a romantic secularism. It is a living art currently influenced by the movie industry and non-Hindu religions. Images include political figures, sacred personalities, pilgrimage sites, and film stars. Prints are a vehicle for advertising and are also used for religious purposes. This print was produced, framed, and displayed in a prayer room for 'puja' or worship.

Iconographic Meaning

Blue-grey skin, crown with peacock's feather, and flute are distinctive attributes of Krishna, the eighth and principal avatar of Vishnu. Lakes, bushes, cow, and deer all indicate the period during which Krishna was living among the cowherds. The flute is a symbol of the cowherds and an extension of his beauty. Gopal Krishna is the leader of all those who worship him. The sound of his flute comes from another world to call the souls of men back to their lord. It entrances all living beings and the nature surrounding Krishna.

Description

Rectangular shaped print depicting Krishna seated cross-legged on a rock and holding a flute in his right hand. He is wearing an orange wrap, orange loincloth, long white floral garland and necklaces around neck; crown with a peacock feather in the middle. Held in his left arm is a deer stretching its neck upwards. A white cow sits with its back facing viewer. Around Krishna is a lake and bushes with pink flowers. Background consists of brown sky; area around male is slightly brighter. Several small houses on left in middle. Orange Sanskrit characters are written on lower right corner. Attached to blank space below the image is the title, 'Gopal Krishna'. The publisher, 'S.S. Brijbasi' is written on lower left corner, and the printer, 'Brijbasi Fao Works', on the lower right corner, both with their addresses.