Print

Item number Eg278 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Rectangular shaped print of Murugan standing with his right hand raised and left hand resting on hip. Gold lance in upright position crosses diagonally over body and rests against his right shoulder. Murugan is wearing a garland of roses and jewelry. Forehead is marked with two white lines and a red dot. Right hand is in abhaya mudra gesture. Encircling Murugan are the background tail feathers forming an aureole. A cobra is at his feet. In the far distance on left is a temple, on right, a waterfall.

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. The images are a vehicle for advertising and are also used for religious purposes. This print is for use in puja.

Cultural Context

calendar art; popular religious art

Iconographic Meaning

Symbols indicating Murugan (Subramaniyar): lance (vel), peacock, forehead marking in his association with Shiva as Shiva and Parvati's son, and abhaya-mudra gesture symbolizing reassurance.