Chinnamasta

In this work, Subramanyan depicts the Hindu goddess Chinnamasta which is translated as 'the one with a severed head'. According to this myth, Chinnamasta, having severed her own head with her sword, holds her severed head with her lef hand. Three jets of blood spurt out of her bleeding neck, one streaming into the mouth of her severed head, while the others into the mouths of her two female associates. Moreover she is shown standing on the copulating couple of Kamadeva and Rati who are lying on a lotus. Chinnamasta is either interpreted as the personification of sexual energy or controlling sexual desire. In this work, Subramanyan has depicted Chinnamasta with her back towards the viewer and has placed her at the centre of the background. We observe several jets of blood spurting from her severed neck and feeding two decapitated heads. Below her we see a group of figures whose bodies appear entangled and difficult to individuate. The scene suggests chaos, sexual promiscuity and death.