Virabhadra (Shiva), Sati and Daksha

In this scene from a Hindu celestial tale of pride and transformation, a central Virabhadra (Lord Shiva’s avatar) commits an act of vengeance against Daksha, who stands on the left. To the right is Daksha’s daughter Sati, the wife of Shiva.

The goddess Sati is known for her exceptional beauty and grace, and was born with a dark complexion. Dark skin is traditionally interpreted to represent earth, fertility, strength and resilience. In contrast a lighter complexion reflects the ideal of beauty. Sati as goddess embodies all of these qualities.

In modern India light skin can be seen as desirable. Yet in ancient Hindu religious texts, where dark skin colour is noted, people are described as beautiful. The origins of colourism are controversial and relate to a complex set of social and cultural issues. It has been argued by some scholars that for Indian tourist art to sell, it needed to appeal to Western sensitivities. Women may have been painted with a fair complexion for this reason.

Visual description: A painting of Virabhadra, an incarnation of Shiva, standing in a commanding pose and wearing an ornate, tall headdress made of gold and surrounded by red flames. Facing forward, his four arms each hold a different object: a sceptre, a long-curved sword, a bow and a flower, which he is giving to Shiva's wife, Sati, who stands on his left.

Sati is wearing a tall golden headdress decorated with emeralds and a green sari. On Virabhadra’s right stands Sati’s father, Daksha, shown with a ram’s head and his hands raised in a gesture of supplication. Virabhadra’s figure is significantly larger than Daksha and Sati’s.