Interestingly while the devout were / are prepring for the ​Navadurga or Navratri celebrations (the nine virgin manifestations and forms of Durga) worshipped during Durga Puja I was desinging a book on the concept of Dasa Mahavidya – the ‘ten wisdoms’ – seen, yet again, as ten divine mothers worshipped in the Tantric tradition. Extensively illustrated, this book carries some of the finest artworks and imageries, of ten fierce and benevolent deities, painted over years by renowned artist Santosh Kumar Das and late Krishnanand Jha. Titled ‘Gesture, Form, and the Divine Feminine’, this art-study of Mithila style, dives deep into the philosphy and stories of cosmic feminine force. The editor of the volume succinctly sums it with, “…the goddess Shakti—is both— the center and the axis of the world … she moves through space with pointed grace, gestures, and glances – guiding the viewer’s eye in unfolding sequences, like a ritual procession … she holds her ground radiating a steady power akin to the meditative pull of a yantra.” The book, Dasa Mahavidya, has been designed and produced by Ishtihaar for Ojas Art. <September 2025>