Indian folk art paintings are truly brilliant, depicting the entire culture of the country with just a few simple strokes of the brush, using a few basic colors. The folk art painting featured here shows the Elephant-headed Lord, Ganesha, seated on His mother, Durga’s lap. Devi Durga or Parvati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, the Lord of Dance, is shown seated cross-legged, placing the young Ganesha on Her lap.

Ganesha is known to be Durga’s favorite son, as He was created by Her, using the sandal paste applied on Her skin. Legend has it that She had asked him to stand guard outside while she finished her bath. When Ganesha denied entry to Shiva, the latter got angry and beheaded Him. But when He realized it was His own son, Shiva affixed an elephant’s head on the boy’s shoulders.

Both Durga and Ganesha are decked up in all their finery and look royal and majestic. Baby Ganesha, or Ganapati, as He is also called, nestles comfortably on her lap and enjoys His mother’s comforting embrace.