Mother Nature

Rich in symbolism, Shalinee Kumari’s painting celebrates nature and women, central subjects in her work. The goddess and nature are here one and the same: her robe contains the rain, mountains, forests, animals, and the human world. Her scarf is a flowing, fish-filled river; her hair is leafy vines; and a ring of flaming clay lamps makes her halo. The yellow background suggests the luminosity of the sun, and delicate line work seems to pulsate with subtle energy.

Shalinee Kumari includes further Hindu references here. The fish supporting the earth recalls Vishnu’s Matsya avatar, where Vishnu assumes a fish form to save mankind. The goddess’s river-like hair invokes the story of Shiva, who lets the river goddess Ganga (Ganges River) flow through his own hair. The peacock-like bird and book held by celestial beings are attributes associated with Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and the arts.