Accession No

2017.27


Description

Fibre glass pratima (idol) of the Hindu goddess Durga slaying Mahisha, made by Mintu Paul.


Place

Asia; South Asia; India; Kolkata


Period

21st Century 2007


Source

Indian Cultural Society [donor]


Department

Anth


Reference Numbers

2017.27


Cultural Affliation


Material

fibre glass; plywood; pigment; paint; vermillion


Local Term

pratima


Measurements

405mm x 1660mm x 1340mm


Events

Context (Display)
Exhibited in the Maudslay Hall, MAA, from October 2017, with the caption:
'A Cambridge goddess'
'This is a pratima (idol) of the Hindu goddess Durga. It was made by artist Mintu Paul in Kolkata in 2007, and worshipped for ten years in the Cambridge Indian Cultural Society’s autumn festival, Durga Puja. In 2017 the Society commissioned a new idol and donated this piece of local heritage to the Museum.
'Durga is the warrior avatar (manifestation) of the Mother Goddess, Devi. Her name means ‘invincible’ or ‘unpassable’ in Sanskrit. She is worshipped as a fierce and protective mother by Hindus in eastern India, where the goddess embodies Shakti, or female power.
'This idol shows Durga killing Mahishasur, the buffalo demon. The goddess is riding her vahana (vehicle), a lion named Manasthala. Her ten arms show her power, and the ability to fight many foes at once. Each hand holds a weapon that symbolises one of her many attributes.
'This is the form in which she is most commonly worshipped in eastern India. But the Asurs, an Adivasi (indigenous) community in Jharkhand, and other minority groups, have begun to challenge what they see as a celebration of their people’s defeat by invaders and their literal demonisation.'
Event Date 1/10/2017
Author: Mark Elliott


Description (Physical description)
Painted fibre glass idol (pratima) of the Hindu goddess Durga as Mahisasuramardini (slayer of Mahisasur). Durga sits astride her vehicle (vahana), the lion named Manasthala. In each of her ten hands is an attribute symbolising an aspect of her power. She is slaying Mahisasur, represented here as a demon capable of transforming from human into a buffalo. The sculpture was made by Mintu Paul of Atindra Arts, Kumartuli, Kolkata. With a red painted wooden plywood back board.

Durga's bow held in her third left hand is broken in half, the top section missing and the unknown attribute she holds in her lower right hand is also missing. There are several areas of damage from use on the aureole, but otherwise in a good condition
Event Date 28/9/2017
Author: rachel hand


Context (Production / use)
Used in the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puga by the Cambridge Indian Cultural Society since 2007. The vermillion on the figures is from use in this festival.
Event Date 29/9/2017
Author: rachel hand


Description (Physical description)
Handout for front of house staff to accompany the exhibition of the pratima in the Maudslay Hall, MAA, October 2017:
"A Cambridge Goddess
"This is an idol, or pratima, of the Hindu goddess Durga. Made by renowned artist Mintu Paul in Kolkata in 2007, it was worshipped in Cambridge for ten years at the centre of the annual festival of Durga Puja. In 2017 The Indian Cultural Society commissioned a new idol for their celebrations and donated this important piece of local Hindu heritage to the Museum.
Her name means ‘invincible’ or ‘unpassable’ in Sanskrit. She is worshipped by Hindus across India, especially Bengal, as a warrior who protects her children from harm. In Himalayan Buddhism she has been identi ed as the vengeful goddess Palden Lhamo. Everywhere, she embodies Shakti, or female power.
"Each Hindu god rides a vahana, usually an animal. Durga rides a lion named Manasthala. Her ten arms show her power, and the ability to ght many foes at once. Each hand holds a weapon that symbolises her many attributes: the chank shell, the chakra, the lotus flower, the sword, the bow, the trident, the mace, the thunderbolt, the snake and the flame.
"This idol shows Durga killing Mahishasur, the buffalo demon. It is the form in which she is most commonly worshipped in eastern India. But the Asurs, an Adivasi (indigenous) community in Jharkhand, and other minority groups, have begun to challenge what they see as a celebration of their people’s defeat by invaders and their literal demonisation."

Event Date 26/9/2018
Author: Mark Elliott


Description (Physical description)
Fibre glass pratima (idol) of the Hindu goddess Durga as Mahisasuramardini, made by Mintu Paul. The ten-armed goddess, riding her lion, slays Mahisasur as he is transforming from buffalo to man. Used in the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puga by the Cambridge Indian Cultural Society.
Event Date 26/9/2018
Author: Mark Elliott


FM:277911

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