Kali, in Hinduism, is a manifestation of the Divine Mother, which represents the female principle. Frequently those not comprehending her many roles in life call Kali the goddess of destruction. She destroys only to recreate, and what she destroys is sin, ignorance and decay. She is equated with the eternal night, and is the transcendent power of time, Kali or Maha-Kali, and is the consort of the god Shiva. In myth, it is Shiva who destroys the world, and Kali is the power or energy with which Shiva acts. Therefore, Kali is Shiva's Shakti, without which Shiva could not act.

The work is inspired by traditional Indian and Persian miniature painting, as well as the palimpsest technique used in illuminated manuscripts.