Poster of The Holy Family

This embossed bazaar or market-place poster depicts the Hindu holy family of Shiva, Parvati, Karthikeya, and Ganesha. Shiva is the god of destruction, but not destruction in a negative sense; rather Shiva is like a forest fire that clears away old brush to allow for renewal and rebirth. His matted locks, entwined with a cobra, are piled upon his head and he holds a trident and a drum (known as a damaru) which represents the sound of creation. His goddess consort Parvati appears next to him, alongside their two sons, Karthikeya and Ganesha, the elephant-headed god and remover of obstacles.