India, Sept. 22 -- Lakshmi, Kali, and Parvati - each form of Durga acquires a distinct expression at the hands of senior artists. These will be displayed at a group exhibition, God's Transcending, which is an ode to Ma Durga through works that invoke the divine. As Navratri begins today, the forthcoming show acts as a precursor to the festive season. But that doesn't limit the artists' creative streak as they interpret the Gods in their own way. "Goddess Durga and her avatars include Parvati or Shakti, who is Lord Ganesha's mother. Our Earth is also a mother and encompasses millions of beings on it, including plants and animals," says artist Durga Kainthola. Referring to her canvas Celebration of Mother Goddess, she adds, "This Earth is made by God, and we as humans have not left any stone unturned to pollute it... In my painting, the Goddess moves between intimacy and spectacle, sacred and surreal symbols of rebirth and transcendence." Fascinated by the stories and symbolism surrounding Ganesha, artist Priyendra Shukla has tried to capture "his wisdom, prosperity, and ability to remove all obstacles". The artist adds, "Blending traditional and contemporary styles, the artwork took me around 10 to 12 days to complete, and I focused on conveying his joyous and celebratory nature." Among the 38 exhibits, featuring mediums like acrylic on canvas and oil on canvas, there are six devoted to Durga. Co-curator of this exhibition, artist Manisha Gawade shares, "We chose the participating artists and their works very carefully. Without their relationship and devotion [to God], their canvases would never talk so loudly. Painting Gods, in any form, needs an intrinsic level of spirituality which is not a blessing that every other artist might have." htc...