Kali Maa: The Fierce Protector
Ramrati Bai
Ramrati Bai Baiga is a contemporary Baiga artist from Madhya Pradesh, whose work reflects the deep bond between her community, nature, and spirituality. She grew up surrounded by Baiga traditions, where everyday life was intertwined with rituals, folk stories, and reverence for the forests. Inspired by this heritage, Ramrati began painting as a way of narrating her community’s experiences and beliefs. Her creative journey took a new turn under the mentorship of artist Ashish Swami, who guided several Baiga women artists to bring their visual traditions onto paper and canvas. This transition helped Ramrati refine her style while still preserving the raw authenticity of Baiga art. Her paintings often depict animals, birds, trees, and sacred motifs, alongside scenes of village festivals, rituals, and moments of daily life. Through these subjects, she highlights the Baiga worldview where humans and nature coexist in a delicate balance. Working primarily in acrylics on paper and canvas, Ramrati’s art is vibrant, rhythmic, and full of symbolism. Each painting feels like a living document of Baiga heritage, while also standing as her personal interpretation of its spirit. Today, she is recognized as one of the significant voices of the new generation of Baiga artists, especially inspiring women from the community to carry forward tradition while opening it to new audiences.
Description
"Kali Maa: The Fierce Protector" by Santoshi Bai, in the Baiga art style, vividly depicts Kali Maa, the goddess of power, destruction, and transformation. She is dressed in yellow and blue, decorated with intricate flowers, dots, and circular patterns. On one hand, she holds the sun, and on another, the moon symbolizes her control over time and cosmic balance. She also carries a severed head and a bowl of blood, representing the cycle of life and death, while a snake coils around her, adding to her fierce presence. Her outstretched tongue and a necklace of skulls emphasize her role as a destroyer of evil and a symbol of rebirth. In the Baiga tradition, Kali Maa represents strength, protection, and justice. She is believed to remove obstacles, destroy negativity, and guide her devotees through change. The Baiga people, deeply connected to nature and spirituality, honor her as a divine force that keeps the balance between creation and destruction. This powerful artwork beautifully captures Kali Maa’s intense energy and her sacred place in Baiga culture, celebrating her as a fearless protector and motherly figure.
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Ramrati Bai
Artist headline not available.
Unique Practice
Women-led perspective in Baiga art with powerful storytelling