Untitled - 03

This is a reverse glass painting from western India, made by a Chinese artist.
One of the dasavataras (the ten principal incarnations of Vishnu) - Parashurama - is rarely seen in paintings, when compared to the more popular depictions of Krishna and his brother Balarama. There are a number of stories about Parashurama, named so because of an axe (parashu), which he obtained from the god Shiva after severe penances.
The scene here involves the powerful multi-armed Haihaya King Kartavirya Arjuna. The two fought after Kartavirya Arjuna slew Parashurama’s father Jamadagni while trying to capture the divine cow Kamadhenu. Parashu then battled Kartavirya and killed him. Parashu has also killed many other Kshatriyas - members of the warrior caste.
The fineness of the drawing and the soft palette dominated by blues, whites and reds reflect Chinese influence.