Animania sets in

In India, animals have been worshipped as deities, while others are considered vahanas (vehicles) of Gods.

Taking inspiration from mythology, a graphic art show titled Animania, features 12 mythological animals in a modern avatar created by various artists from Mumbai and around the world.

Divya Thakur of Design Temple, who is curating the show, explains the need to come up with such a concept. “People outside India hardly have a clue about Indian mythology. By making it modern and contemporary in nature, this is an attempt to take our culture to a global level,” says Thakur.

She has an interesting point as to why the concept of animals was chosen to popularise Indian culture. “The current state of wildlife in India is alarming. Our wildlife contains several endangered species that are living critically on the verge of extinction. When we depict many of these animals as the vehicles of Gods then we derive attention by developing affection. If you worship a God you would certainly not like to kill their vehicle,” she says.

Gods are nowhere shown in any of the paintings. It’s merely the portrayal of animals as their vehicles along with their symbolic qualities. A painting created by Thakur shows the image of a Garuda or Eagle.

“The Eagle is a symbol of impetuous violent force and speed. It has a keen eye and is advancing rapidly to destroy evil. It is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu — the preserver,” she says.

Some of the other paintings include the Tiger, Mongoose and Black Buck. The Tiger has been created by Josh Brill from USA.

Tiger is symbolic of protecting virtue and destroying evil. It is the vehicle of Goddess Durga —goddess of unlimited power and the divine feminine force.

Indian Grey Mongoose, created by Seijiro Kubo from Japan, is symbolic of the receptacle of all gems. When the God of wealth presses the animal, it vomits forth all the riches. It is the vehicle of Lord Kubera — God of wealth and prosperity. Black Buck, created by Lokesh Karekar of Mumbai, has been shown as the vehicle of Lord Chandra (Moon) — God of fertility, purity and peace.

Some more paintings are of the Owl — symbol of wisdom, Parrot — symbol of love, Lion — symbol of power and Peacock — symbol of vanity.