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Radha Worships Krishna as Kali

late 19th century
Not on view
Radha Worships Krishna as Kali was a popular subject, celebrating a rather risqué story associated with the love of Radha and Krishna. It tells of Krishna, who dalliance with Radha is disturbed by the imminent approach of Radha’s husband, Ayanaghosha. Unable to escape in time, Krishna transforms himself into Kali, whom Radha is shown worshipping as her husband arrives. Her unknowing husband gazes in upon this vision, his hands raised perhaps in bewilderment. Krishna has assumed Kali’s female bodily form and long tresses of black hair, along with her four arms, but retains his distinctive diadem with peacock-feather cockade. This vision of Kali raises her sacrificial sword in her upper hand and holds the severed head of a mustached man directly before Ayanaghosha who seemingly recoils in astonishment. The demure Radha kneels at her lord’s feet.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Radha Worships Krishna as Kali
  • Date: late 19th century
  • Culture: India, Kalighat district, Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Medium: Watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 17 3/4 in. × 11 in. (45.1 × 28 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Peter Louis and Chandru Ramchandani, 2024
  • Object Number: 2024.413.1
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Sri Sri Kali (recto); Kali (verso), G. C. Dass (recto), Recto: lithograph, printed in black and hand-colored in red, crimson, and yellow watercolor, selectively applied glaze. Verso: lithograph, printed in black, West Bengal, Calcutta
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