The Loving Family

Shiva the Hindu God is known as the lord of destruction. After destruction is the new beginning hence is looked upon with reverence. His love for his family is well known and therefore there numerous legends and depictions portraying the same. In most tales he is with his spouse Parvati and in some with his entire family that includes Nandi too. Of Course there are some paintings on his fearsome form too.

There is a tranquil feel to the painting, given the undulating hills dotted with trees and the cloudless sky. The orange in the sky indicating that it is either dawn on dusk. The uncluttered background lends prominence to the protagonists.

Shiva leads the family with Karttikeya, the 6 headed younger son of Shiva, lovingly seated on his father’s strong shoulders. Shiva is turning back to look at the rest of his family. Shiva is dressed in his ascetic attire i.e. the leopard skin around his waist. Typically, he has a snake around his neck and the crescent moon on his head. The bag hanging on his shoulder seems to contain the necessary items of need. His calm expression indicates no hurry. Nandi, the bull trots with Parvati and Ganesh seated on his back. Parvati has her hands on Ganesha’s thigh in a protective manner while gazing lovingly at Shiva.

The foreground has flowering shrubs and sprouting bushes, soft on the bare feet of Shiva.

This description by Renu Rana.