Shiva, Parvati

Shiva Parvati is a painting by an extraordinary self-taught artist called Sunayani Devi, representing the Bengal School tradition. Her work presents a scene with Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati sitting close to each other in a simplistic manner. Sunayani Devi portrays the divine couple in her unique stylized way, not trying to depict all of the intricate details that Mughal or traditional artists might add to such a painting. Both of the gods are portrayed from the front side with calm and serene facial expressions, surrounded by white oval-shaped halos. Shiva is dressed in a grayish color garment, whereas Parvati wears yellow and red clothing, being a bit more vibrant and calmer simultaneously. Their jewellery and attire are depicted in detail with delicate decorative patterns and lines. The background also has some white areas blended with dark blue-gray colors and clouds, framing the main subjects of the drawing and making it more noticeable. Sunayani Devi’s paintings and drawings are mostly inspired by Indian folklore and mythological legends. She portrays the gods with simplistic and rounded faces, paying special attention to the eyes and using muted colors for her works. In her paintings, she manages to capture the true essence of the gods’ personalities and emotions, making each stroke of the brush meaningful and well-planned. Shiva Parvati, in particular, depicts a calm and harmonious relationship between the gods, showcasing their intimate moments. The painting also represents the artist’s ability to portray religious subjects in a simplistic and accessible manner while maintaining the essential symbolism and meanings. The piece was created with watercolor/tempera on paper, which makes it possible to see all of the delicate strokes and spots of colors added by the artist. Shiva Parvati, as well as other works by Sunayani Devi, have been showcased in different art exhibitions around the world. In particular, the drawing was presented in the UK within the framework of the Painting Freedom: Tagore, Jamini and Hemen – India’s Modernist Rebels exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery in 2021.