Art Calendar 2026: Reimagining Sacred Archetypes inspired by India's Ancient Heritage
- Roshni Ali
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
India’s ancient temples holds valuable stories set in stone. Visiting the Hoysala temples, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, and Ellora, I was struck by the grandeur of our heritage and the powerful myths behind each site.
These myths reveal sacred archetypes—universal symbols and characters that explore the nature of reality.
Returning to Goa, I noticed these archetypes reflected in the vibrant contemporary music scene.
This inspired me to start an art project: creating a calendar that reimagines these sacred archetypes in modern Goa.
This project invites viewers to reconnect with our heritage and explore these timeless symbols in a fresh light.
Connecting Ancient Archetypes with Contemporary Goa
Goa’s music scene is a melting pot of cultures and styles, from trance and electronic music to folk and fusion. I noticed that many artists and performers embody archetypes similar to those in ancient myths.
The Beast
Inspired by Narasimha, the Lion-headed God in mythology. He represents that part of ourselves that we are often taught to suppress: anger, instinct, and assertiveness. It examines the role of controlled aggression and ethical resistance. It is awareness combined with strength.
The Friend
In this work, the Monkey God Hanuman is reimagined as a djembe player in Goa, situated within the informal yet structured social spaces of coastal drum circles. These gatherings, commonly found on Anjuna and Arambol beaches, function as sites of spontaneous community formation, where individuals forge bonds through shared rhythm rather than spoken language.
The Healer
I imagined the Buddha in a contemporary setting — as a handpan playerby a goan quarry. This archetype creates stillness through sound. He slows people down without demanding attention. The handpan is a modern percussion instrument which invites deep listening and a shared moment of peace.
The Hero
Vishnu, in mythology, rests upon the sacred serpent Ananta (Infinity) in the ocean of time. From this cosmic state, he is believed to dream worlds into existence, appearing detached from human affairs. Though seemingly distant, Vishnu descends into the mortal realm whenever balance is threatened and injustice reaches its peak.
The animals represented in this work — the fish, the tortoise, and the boar — refer to his earliest avatars. They invite viewers to reflect on the myth of the Hero, as a recurring force that responds to crisis.
The Artist
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and creativity, is imagined here within a modern studio environment. She appears as a contemporary artist — multitasking, experimenting, and immersed in her work.
In this setting, Saraswati represents the state of flow that artists continually seek: a condition where concentration deepens and time dissolves.
The Lover
Krishna, with his bansuri (flute), appears as the charmer—His sound carries what might be called a love frequency: a vibration that opens the heart chakra. It moves through the body before it reaches the mind.
Love, in this space, is not explained.
It is felt. It is witnessed.
The Guide
Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of prosperity and new beginnings, is traditionally invoked at moments of transition. In this work, he is reimagined as a DJ — a modern ritual leader guiding listeners through rhythm and frequency, he shapes collective energy by creating high vibrational spaces.
The Warrior
This work is inspired by the ancient reliefs of Mahabalipuram, where Durga is carved charging into battle — a vision more than three thousand years old, yet still alive with force.
In this work, she is reimagined on a motorcycle in Goa, with a backpack filled with tools — symbols of preparedness, skill, and self-reliance. She holds a shankha (conch shell), whose sound traditionally wards off evil.
The Dark Feminine
Kali — a figure who represents sacred rage. In mythology, Kali emerges when injustice reaches its peak, when restraint is no longer sufficient, and when destruction becomes necessary for renewal. Her energy is raw, direct, and eruptive.
In this work, she is reimagined as a bassist in a rock music setting, channelling her rage through sound.
The Creator
Traditionally associated with creation, Brahma is reinterpreted as a Music producer who builds detailed musical worlds through layering, experimentation, and precision. Like the cosmic creator who dreams universes into existence, he shapes sound into immersive environments.
The Divine Feminine
Parvati represents the Divine Feminine in her most complete form.
She is tender, calm, beautiful, and nurturing — all at once — yet never weak. Her softness is rooted in strength, and her compassion is sustained by inner discipline.
Holding a singing bowl, she becomes a source of restoration. The vibration of the singing bowl symbolises her ability to soothe emotional turbulence and bring scattered energy back into alignment.
The Divine Masculine
Shiva, often misunderstood as unapproachable, but he just likes being by himself in his cave. Known as a dark god of destruction . Worldly matters do not interest him; he meditates and contemplates realms beyond human understanding. I imagined him as a drummer, who holds the pure power of destruction in his powerful drumming.
The Process
These works begin as pencil drawings, establishing form and composition. They are then developed using acrylic paints and ink pens, allowing for layered texture and detail.
Once completed by hand, the artworks are scanned and digitally enhanced to refine colour, contrast, and clarity, bringing together traditional and contemporary techniques in a single visual language. Adobe Photoshop and the latest GPT-based tools are used in the final stage to support refinement, experimentation, and visual coherence. This process is a balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary digital practice.
Photographs from my Travels: What Inspired the Art Calendar
These photographs are from my travels to sacred and ancient sites in Hampi, Ellora, the Hoysala temples, and Mahabalipuram.
Each of these places is rich in myths and legends, carrying layers of history, devotion, and symbolic meaning. Beyond their architectural brilliance, they reveal a deeper philosophy of life and nature of our reality.
Final Thoughts
India’s ancient heritage offers a rich source of wisdom through its sacred archetypes.
This art project is an invitation to remain curious, to seek meaning, and to reconnect with the stories that have shaped generations and continue to play a crucial role in our collective psyche.
Through contemporary interpretations of ancient archetypes, the work encourages reflection on how myth, memory, and symbolism still influence our inner lives and shared cultural consciousness.
Exploring these archetypes can deepen your appreciation of Indian culture and inspire your own creative journey. Whether you are an artist, a traveller, or simply curious, these timeless symbols offer a path to inner discovery.
Roshni Ali is a multidisciplinary artist based in Goa. She works across visual art, music, and sound healing, and is actively involved in the region’s vibrant creative scene.
A DJ and a sound healer, her work is informed by a deep sensitivity to rhythm, frequency, and emotional resonance.
Through contemporary interpretations of ancient archetypes, she seeks to create experiences that are both visually and emotionally immersive, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and shared presence.
Limited Prints of the Art Calendar are available in A4 and A3 sizes.
Drop an email at theroshniali@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram.
Wah, Kya baat hei 🔱✨
My favorite is Kali 💃