Kali: Devourer of Illusion

About this episode

This episode explores the complex figure of Kali in mythology and her evolution across various cultural contexts.

Kali is one of the most complex and powerful figures in global mythology. In this we follow the evolution of Kali, all the way from her origins in ancient Sanskrit texts to her role as a liberating force in Tantric cosmology, colonial resistance, feminist iconography, and modern pop culture. We explore her mythology, the duality of being both terrifying and maternal and her radical transformation across centuries. And through her, we examine what it means to destroy in order to start an...

People in this episode

Host: India

Topics covered

• mythology
• Kali
• Tantric cosmology
• feminism
• cultural evolution
• colonial resistance

Keywords

• Kali
• mythology
• Tantric cosmology
• feminism
• cultural evolution
• colonial resistance
• pop culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tantric cosmology, colonial resistance, feminist iconography, modern pop culture

Books & works: Kali

Places: India

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