Jai Maa Kaali

I remember as a child, every Bengali family of repute and ill-repute would have a very gaudy and hastily framed photo of Maa Kaali reclining on the puja box or adorning a wall to be worshipped with vigour especially by the elderly in the family. The design and printing were quite basic probably crude: the goddess was painted in garish blue with several hands holding arms, a chain of skulls around the neck as garland, a severed head in one hand standing with one foot on the chest of supine Lord Shiva, the divine consort, her decency covered artfully by her long hair. The garishness of the colours or the gaudiness of the whole concept did not affect the devotees. These pictures were usually designed along the lines of calendar art of that time.
I also remember, the bahurupiya who came calling every now and then, painted in blue, with a tin tongue sticking out of the mouth and long tresses of jet black hair on the head dressed as Kaali - it was a bit scary to see a man dressed like that but nonetheess awe inspiring and definitely a good business idea on part of the bahurupiya. Of course, as a budding intellectual, I also knew early that this was one of the roops of Maa Kaali - the destructive roop.
After so many years it was rather fun to see the gorgeous Hiedi Klum dressed exactly as the Kaali depicted in those early calendar art posters. I thought it was a cool idea to resurrect something many my age have grown up with and perhaps forgotten in course of their life's journey. Of course, hindu groups in the US were quick to protest this "insult" to their deity [I doubt how many of them are Kaali worshippers who remains till today a deity local to some parts of India notably Bengal]. I think it was very thoughtful of the now ageing model to pose as Maa Kaali - the ultimate symbol of feminism in my part of the world. One vital element of that motiff was missing - lord shiva, the divine consort lying at her feet. It would have been great if Seal could do that for us. I guess just as Heidi was painted blue, Seal would have to be painted white [for Lord Shiva for some strange reason, was always white in those photos I remember].
Thank you Heidi for reviving a childhood memory after fuelling several middle age fantasies. What will it be next time? Sheronwali Mata?