Artwork
Skanda
Skanda is a paint painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Tira Devi. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1973 by artist Tira Devi, this work presents a four‑armed Hindu deity, most likely the god Skanda, positioned atop a peacock that is shown swallowing a snake. Flanked by two female figures, the composition is rendered in ink and colored paint on paper, employing the vibrant visual language of the Madhubani tradition.
Subject & Meaning
Skanda, also known as Murugan or Kartikeya, is revered in southern India as a youthful warrior and a patron of knowledge, the son of Shiva and Parvati. The peacock, his customary vehicle, and the snake, a symbol of danger, together underscore his role as a protector who conquers chaos. The accompanying women may represent devotees or attendant goddesses, reinforcing the devotional context.
Technique & Style
The painting follows Madhubani’s folk aesthetic, characterized by bold, black outlines that define flat areas of bright pigment.
The painting follows Madhubani’s folk aesthetic, characterized by bold, black outlines that define flat areas of bright pigment. Simple geometric forms and large, expressive eyes dominate the figures, while intricate background motifs, vines, flowers, and swirling lines, fill the space with rhythmic patterning. Ink provides the defining contours, and opaque paints supply the vivid yellows, pinks, and greens.
History & Provenance
Originating in the Bihar region of India, Madhubani art was traditionally executed on village walls by women before being transferred to paper and canvas for broader circulation. Tira Devi’s 1973 piece reflects this shift, documenting a period when the style was gaining recognition beyond its rural roots and entering museum collections.
Context
The work exemplifies the intersection of religious narrative and folk visual culture. By depicting a pan‑Indian deity through a regional artistic lens, it highlights how local traditions adapt pan‑Hindu iconography, preserving communal identity while participating in wider devotional practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tira Devi painted scenes from Hindu mythology in the early 1970s. Her work “Skanda” from 1973 shows the god Kartikeya with peacock feathers and a spear. Born when few women signed temple murals, she kept the flat colors…
