Shiva and Parvati

The artwork originally untitled, Shiva and Parvati made around the 1920s, shows the couple in a kind and mysterious visual style. Highlighting the huge power of Shiva Majumdar focuses on the quiet connection between Shiva and Parvati. Shiva sits in the middle with head slightly tilted and eyes lowered. Parvati appears behind Shiva partly covered. Together Shiva and Parvati give the feeling that the viewer has peeked into their home. The painting has a vertical shape that strengthens this sense of closeness. Shiva’s long profile, softly shaped torso and flowing hair are shown by lines instead of strong shading. Shiva’s rudraksha beads and ornaments add details against the colors of ochre, brown, muted red and deep blue-black. The dark round shape behind Shiva’s head looks like a halo. Also gives weight to the otherwise quiet composition. Parvati’s face is visible. Her red veil adds a soft contrast pulling the eye into the space between Shiva and Parvati. Made with tempera on paper glued to a board the painting shows Majumdar working in the style of the Bengal School of Art. The precise lines and softened shapes give a mood that is not about action. The subdued colors and fine outlines create a calm letting spiritual meaning appear through careful expression and distance. In this painting divinity is shown not by spectacle but, by calm and partnership. Majumdar turns the pair into a picture of tenderness and inner peace showing how old sacred themes can become a modern lyrical style.