What is "matangi"

Matangi is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. She is considered to be the Tantric form of Sarasvati, the goddess of music and learning. Like Sarasvati, Matangi governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining supreme knowledge.

Matangi is often associated with pollution, inauspiciousness and the periphery of Hindu society, which is embodied in her most popular form, known as Ucchishta-Chandalini or Ucchishta-Matangini. She is described as an outcaste ( Chandalini) and offered left-over or partially eaten food (Ucchishta) with unwashed hands or food after eating, both of which are considered to be impure in classical Hinduism.

Matangi is often represented as emerald green in colour. While Ucchishta-Matangini carries a noose, sword, goad, and club, her other well-known form, Raja-Matangi, plays the veena and is often pictured with a parrot.

Matangi is the fourth studio album by English recording artist M.I.A., released on 1 November 2013 on her own label, N.E.E.T. Recordings, through Interscope Records. Songwriting and production for the album were primarily handled by M.I.A. and long-time collaborator Switch, with additional contributions from Hit-Boy, Doc McKinney, Danja, Surkin and The Partysquad. The album's title is a variant of M.I.A.'s real first name and also references the Hindu goddess Matangi. Themes relating to Hinduism, including reincarnation and karma, feature in the lyrics, and the music blends western and eastern styles. The album was recorded in various locations around the world and allegedly featured input from Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

The first single to be taken from the album, " Bad Girls", was released nearly two years before the album and became one of M.I.A.'s most successful singles. Three other songs from the album were released as singles in the run-up to its eventual release. Critics' opinions of the album were generally favourable, but its first-week sales were significantly lower than those of M.I.A.'s previous album, and its chart peak was lower in all major markets. Matangi did however, top the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

Matangi is a Hindu goddess.

Matangi can also refer to:

• Matangi (album), a 2013 album by M.I.A.
• New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit, a class of rail units
• Matangi Tonga, a newspaper
• Matangi Tonga (American football) (born 1988), American football player
• Matangi, Tokelau, an islet
• Matangi, New Zealand, a settlement in the Hamilton Urban Area
• Matagi Island, Fiji