The Albert Hall in Manchester, where the event is due to be staged, has been accused of cultural appropriation and has apologised for any offence caused as well as changing the image online.
Shiva – a supreme being in the religion believed to hold the power to create and transform the universe – was depicted with a chicken beak with a cigarette hanging out his mouth.
The deity is also shown holding a mobile phone with an open Champagne bottle with “elrow” written across the top plus an inflatable hammer.
The poster pictured Shiva smoking and drinking to promote the Indian-themed night
He is also surrounded by other images of a flamingo, an oil lamp and a tiger with a eye patch.
The party, dubbed “Bollywood themed chaos” on the Albert Hall Manchester website, is due to be held on February 18 and 19.
Hiten Mistry, the president of the Kings College London Hindu Society, told student newspaper The Tab the image was offensive to Hindus.
Speaking to student newspaper The Tab, he said: “The Elrow Bollywood picture is disrespectful and insulting to many, including the Hindu community.
“Shiva is one the principal deities of Hinduism and Elrow has depicted Shiva in an unacceptable manner with a party mask and cigarette.
“Also, to use something that many people consider sacred for an event like this is inappropriate. In addition to this, Bollywood and Hinduism are two different things.
“The Warehouse Project, The Albert Hall, Elrow and all other stakeholders should publicly apologise for this and should be more culturally aware.
“This depiction has damaged the brand of The Warehouse Project, The Albert Hall and Elrow. Members of the Hindu and non-Hindu community are angry about this.”
Some clubbers took to Twitter to voice their anger at the image artwork.
The Albert Hall in Manchester has apologised for any offence caused
Carys Williams wrote: “Just put my @elrow_ t shirt in the bin after that Bollywood poster sham. The ignorance and disrespect is beyond belief.”
Paula Pomroy said: “Elrow going to have a nightmare over their Bollywood even picture. I don’t follow any religion but if I did I would have been offended too.”
The picture, which was originally the cover photo for the Facebook event, has now been cropped and only displays the title of the night.
Warehouse Project, which runs the nights at the Albert Hall Manchester, have also released an official statement apologising for any offence caused and Elrow has responded with an apology as well.
A spokesman for the club said: “We would like to apologise to anyone offended by the Elrow Bollywood artwork released yesterday.
“We have taken onboard the feedback and changed the Bollywood artwork across the board.”
Source : News Explored UK
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