Shivaparivara, The Very Picture Of Conjugal Bliss

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A blissful image of Shiva-parivara (‘parivara’ is the Sanskrt-derived word for family). Upon a platform of bejewelled gold somewhere in paraloka sits Lord Shiva with His wife, Devi Parvati, resting on His lap. The crimson skirts of Her lehenga contrast sharply with the pristine complexion of His mostly bare legs (He is clad in nothing but a tiger-skin loincloth). His four arms spread about Him (He is chaturbhujadhari or one possessed of four arms) as He gathers His family about Him, looking deep into the beautiful eyes of Devi Parvati.

Lord Karttikeya is seated in the lap of His mother, clad in a dhoti of yellow silk, with His six heads looking around in every direction. His sibling, Lord Ganesha, is holding up to Him a plateful of laddoos, a smile of profound innocence writ large on His elephant-face. In the lap of a gigantic lotus with petals the colour of a delicate sunset pink, all four deities in their togetherness make for the perfect picture of conjugal bliss. The solid pale grey backdrop serves to bring out the simple yet statement colours in the concentrated foreground.