Savitri, Yama and Satravan
1885
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1885
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Savitri, Yama and Satravan is a 1885 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows three figures in a forest. A woman sits on the ground with a man beside her. A small, dark figure hovers above them, looking serious. The scene comes from an old Hindu story about love and fate. The woman, Savitri, fights to bring her husband back from the dead. The artist blends soft colors and sharp lines in one picture. It’s kept at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts Savitri cradling her deceased husband Satyavan, pleading with Yama, the God of Death, who stands above them, to restore his life. Rendered in opaque watercolour on paper, the work reflects the Kalighat style of 19th-century Bengal, characterized by bold colours, simplified forms, and rapid brushwork. It belongs to a tradition of Bengali art that emerged during British colonial rule, blending local mythology with contemporary social themes. The scene draws from the Hindu epic *Mahabharata*, where Savitri’s devotion and determination challenge Yama’s decree.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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