The Barbie Kali doll The Barbie Kali doll

Barbie takes a Kali avatar as Argentine artists Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini, in an exhibition series called "Barbie - The Plastic Religion," are featuring a Kali version of this popular doll range.

In the exhibition in Buenos Aires, which is set to open on October 11, the artists will present various avatars of Barbie, and her male companion Ken.

A photograph of the "Kali-Barbie" on the artists' website shows this doll holding up a severed head and the toy box has a symbol of Om and "Jai Kali Ma" in Hindi printed on it.

However, according to reports, this Barbie Kali has generated furore.

Rajan Zed, a notable interfaith leader who has led a prayer in the US Senate said, "Hindus welcome the art world to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not for refashioning Hinduism concepts and symbols for personal agendas. Barbie-fication of Kali is simply improper, wrong and out of place."

The depiction of Barbie and Ken as the Virgin Mary and a crucified Jesus Christ and other saints also drew sharp comments.