This imposing painting depicts Mahakala, a wrathful protector deity associated with both Hinduism and Buddhism. Mahakala is seen as a manifestation of the major Hindu god Shiva, a form of the compassionate bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, or one of the eight Buddhist protector deities, amongst other interpretations. While there are a limited number of extant Mahakala sculptures found in northern India, there are many depictions of the god in medieval Tibetan and Mongolian art, where he was worshipped as a defender of the faith and a righteous eradicator of evil and corruption.

Untitled (Mahakala) is one of Arup Das’ many explorations of religious iconography. A prominent figurative painter and muralist, Das has depicted Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian imagery, representing the diverse artistic traditions of India. This interpretation of Mahakala, with his broad, towering form, evokes the ferocity and strength associated with the deity. Das depicts Mahakala with a limited color palette of subtle golds and beiges, using bold lines and a gritty, textural surface to give the painting a sculptural quality reminiscent of historic idols. Mahakala is surrounded by smaller figures that are tilted, turned, or in the midst of motion, contrasting with the deity’s solidity and weightiness that anchors the composition.