‘Shiva All Encompassing’: A solo show by Samik De

An online art exhibition titled Shiva – All Encompassing by Kolkata-based artist Samik De is now live and will continue until August 4. Curated by artist and designer Manisha Gawade, the exhibition is being hosted by Ehsaas and streamed on multiple Facebook pages.

The show explores the many forms of Lord Shiva, with artworks that present him not just as a deity but as a symbol of balance and contradiction — calm yet fierce, detached yet loving. Through his paintings, Samik brings to life Shiva as Adi Purusha, Nataraja, Ardhanarishwar, Kal Bhairav, and Adi Yogi. The artworks, created using ink and acrylic, are rich in detail and bold in colour.

Samik, a self-taught artist with over 20 years of experience, comes from a background in finance but has spent most of his career focusing on Indian mythology, especially Shaivism. His style blends traditional themes with a modern visual approach. “Shiva is not just one form or idea. He is everything at once. That’s what I try to show in my work,” he says.

The exhibition opened during the Hindu month of Shravan, which is considered the most sacred time to worship Shiva. Many devotees fast and offer prayers during this period, especially on Mondays. According to mythology, this is also when Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison during the churning of the ocean, earning the name Neelkanth or “blue-throated one.”

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Curator Manisha Gawade said she chose Samik’s work because of its emotional depth and spiritual connection. “His art is honest and thoughtful. It connects with the viewer without trying too hard,” she said. Gawade, who has curated exhibitions around the world, runs an annual digital series through Ehsaas to bring meaningful Indian art to wider audiences.

The exhibition can be viewed on Facebook pages managed by Manisha Gawade, Alka Raghuvanshi, and Samik De. It is free and open to all viewers online.

Through this show, Samik offers a fresh take on Shiva’s timeless presence, blending mythology with modern expression and inviting viewers to reflect on the divine in a new way.

When: Until August 4