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Description

Utility bag of printed mill cotton with self-covered hand straps. Made of sturdy undyed mill cloth, design printed in red. One side has a seated anthro-zoomorphic figure with head of elephant and body of man with four arms, each holding distinctive object. Mouse in front of figure. Lettering in an Indian script. On the reverse side is a seated human figure in ceremonial dress with four arms, one of which holds a spear. Peacock at the figure's left side. English inscription: 'Chithra Bag Works Madras-7.'

History Of Use

Most of small retail shops and stalls in the markets of India have small cotton shopping bags available for sale with their goods. These bags are most often stamped with the name of the shop or the manufacturer of the bag, and usually include religious pictures or trademark, addresses. Often written in English on side and Tamil (or other local language) on the reverse. These are seen commonly and used for all types of shopping.

Cultural Context

tourist art

Iconographic Meaning

Ganesh: first son of Shiva, 'bringer of good fortune', 'remover of obstacles' holding (in a clockwise direction) ankusha: elephant goad; laddhu: bowl of sweets; abhaya mudra: have no fear; parashu: an ax. He is seen with his vahana or vehicle, the rat. On reverse side is Murugan (Kartikai): second son of Shiva, god of war. Shown in Kumara stage as a young man holding his vajra (thunder bolt sceptre) and vel (spear). He is accompanied by his vahana (peacock). The Tamil words on first side say 'Chitra Bag Works, 12, Kutti Setti Tteru, Sinnai. (i.e. Madras).

Item History

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