The beautiful wall hanging with its cascading crimson splendour and some sparkling beadwork, sequins and glittering zari threads on cotton patchwork testify to the glory of the Gujarati patchwork tradition that has been descing from generations to generations. Surrounded by lavish embroidery, the patchwork motifs are beautifully adorned with some spectacular designs.
A vibrant, diversified India has been nicely depicted through the medium of colours on cotton. There are some marvelous mirror works on the beautiful product and beads, sequins in the beautiful wall hanging. A number of dress designs are beautifully knit together with dazzling embroidery works. A number of splendid dress designs have been nicely put together to create a resplendent effect. Patches of various shapes and colours lead to the making of a larger design. Patterns are generally repeated. Patchwork, one of the primary construction techniques of quilting, is often combined with appliqu. Basic geometric shapes are usually used in the making of most of the patch work items which need precise joining so that it lies without puckers. Patch work in India is mainly popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Various coloured and patterned fabrics of different shapes and sizes are together on a plain background. An important feature characterizing Indian patchwork is that the stitches of the patches are not hidden but are done with jazzy shades which get highlighted, adding a more artistic appeal.
The spectacular wall hanging depicts the Hindu sacred word OM in a most prolific manner. A number of green dress designs have been nicely put together. Aum (OM) is the sound of the infinite, the essence of all mantras, the highest of all mantras or divine word (shabda), brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Aum is said to be the essence of the Vedas. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe. Here, A stands for Creation; U stands for Preservation; M stands for Destruction or dissolution This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas)
The short and stout image of the Lord Shiva is being intricately designed with the serpent covering his head. One of the Trinity, Lord Shiva is responsible for the destruction. Lord Shiva along with his wife Parvati is considered ideal couple by the Hindus. He is worshipped in different manifestations and his linga is considered sacred by the devotees.
The pride of the mother with the child is being given a fitting treatment in the wall hanging. The beautiful wall hanging depicts the mother playing with her child in a spirited manner. The mother is wearing a green sari and the flower behind is also given a fine treatment. The attractive wall hanging is indeed a fine décor for any interior decoration.
The beautiful stone figure of Lord Ganesha is given a spectacular treatment with some nice carvings. Pink is at its best in the nice figure. One of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped before undertaking any ritual. Also known as the Remover of Obstacles, Lord Ganesha creates obstacles on our path and removes at will.
The beautiful stone image of Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered gods in Hinduism, is chiseled out in a most exquisite manner. He is shown in a seated posture and the God is revered at the beginning of any ritual.
The beautiful wooden figure depicts Lord Vishnu, one of the Trinity in Hinduism, the two other being Lord Shiva and Brahma, being carried by His vehicle Garuda, the hald-eagle and half-human figure.
In Hindu mythology, a Garuda is a Hindu divinity, usually the mount (vahanam) of Vishnu. Garuda is depicted as having a golden body, white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and wings but a man's body. He wears a crown on his head. He is ancient and huge, and can block out the sun.
According to the epic, when Garuda first burst forth from his egg, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Frightened, the gods begged him for mercy. Garuda, hearing their plea, reduced himself in size and energy.
Garuda's father was the creator-rishi Kasyapa. His mother was Vinata, whose sister was Kadru, the mother of serpents. One day, Vinata lost a bet to her sister and was enslaved to her sister. When Garuda approached the serpents seeking her freedom, the serpents wanted Garuda to bring them the elixir of immortality, also called amrita, found itself in the possession of the gods, who guarded it jealously, since it was the source of their immortality. They had ringed the elixir with a massive fire that covered the sky. They had blocked the way to the elixir with a fierce mechanical contraption of sharp rotating blades. And finally, they had stationed two gigantic poisonous snakes next to the elixir as deadly guardians.
Undaunted, Garuda hastened toward the abode of the gods intent on robbing them of their treasure. Knowing of his design, the gods met him in full battle-array. Garuda, however, defeated the entire host and scattered them in all directions. Taking the water of many rivers into his mouth, he extinguished the protective fire the gods had thrown up.
Reducing his size, he crept past the rotating blades of their murderous machine. And finally, he mangled the two gigantic serpents they had posted as guards. Taking the elixir into his mouth without swallowing it, he launched again into the air and headed toward the eagerly waiting serpents. En route, he encountered Vishnu. Rather than fight, the two exchanged promises. Vishnu promised Garuda the gift of immortality even without drinking from the elixir, and Garuda promised to become Vishnu's mount. Flying onward, he met Indra the god of the sky. Another exchange of promises occurred. Garuda promised that once he had delivered the elixir, thus fulfilling the request of the serpents, he would make it possible for Indra to regain possession of the elixir and to take it back to the gods. Indra in turn promised Garuda the serpents as food.
At long last, Garuda alighted in front of the waiting serpents. Placing the elixir on the grass, and thereby liberating his mother Vinata from her servitude, he urged the serpents to perform their religious ablutions before consuming it. As they hurried off to do so, Indra swooped in to make off with the elixir. From that day onward, Garuda was the ally of the gods and the trusty mount of Vishnu, as well as the implacable enemy of snakes, upon whom he preyed at every opportunity.
The beautiful stone figure of the Lord of Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles is given an exquisite treatment with some sparkling carvings on it. The Lord is shown with His vehicle the mouse on his one hand and a snake is also shown. One of the most worshipped Gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of any ritual. The figure contains some beautiful carvings on it. Lord Ganesha is one of the most benevolent gods in Hindu religion.
The Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi is given a nice and refine treatment. One of the most worshipped goddesses in Hinduism, the goddess is worshipped for wealth and property. The goddess is often worshipped along with Ganesha for prosperity. Lakshmi has many names. She is known to be very closely associated with the Lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower.She is known as Padma (lotus dweller); Kamala (lotus dweller); Padmapriya (One who likes lotuses); Padmamaladhara devi (One who wears a garland of lotuses), Padmamukhi (One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus), Padmakshi (One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus), Padmahasta (One who holds a lotus) and Padmasundari (One who is as beautiful as a lotus)
The beautiful wooden figure of Lord Krishna playing his flute is given a refine and detail treatment. The cow, considered holy in Hinduism, is also shown nearby. The wooden figure contains some exquisite carvings on it and the figure is being delicately crafted to yield an impact of respect and grandeur. The Lord is shown engrossed with His flute that is creating an immortal sound of love. A sense of accomplishment and satisfaction is manifest in the beautiful figure.
One of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, one of the Trinity Gods in Hindusim, the other two being, Lord Vishnu and Brahma. The beautiful pink stone figure reveals a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction on the part of the God with some exquisite and refine carvings.
National Award Winner Indian artist Prabhakar Maharana honors Lord Buddha with this impressive serpentine sculpture. Seated in "Dhyana mudra" The gesture of absolute balance, of meditation, the hands of Sakya Muni are relaxed in the lap, and the tips of the thumbs and fingers touch each other.The figure is well proportioned and the drapery is carved out very carefully.
The beautiful stone figure of Lord Ganesha is given a refine and detail treatment with some beautiful carvings on it. Lord Ganesha is also known as the Lord of Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles, Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of any ritual and He is one of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism. Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, Lord Ganesha is one of the most benevolent gods in Hinduism.
The beautiful resin figure of the Lord Krishna and His beloved Radha is given a spectacular and minute treatment. A greater sense of amorous feeling in manifest in the figure as Radha is embracing her partner with great love and affection. The beautiful resin figure immortalizes the saga of love story between the two. Some sparkling carvings and spectacular designs mark the figure.
The beautiful brass figure of Lord Shiva performing his cosmic dance is given a refine and detail treatment. Nataraja (The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of the Shiva, who performs his divine dance as a part of his divine duties of creation and destruction. The Lord Shiva is shown here dancing in a circle of flames, lifting his left leg and balancing over a demon or dwarf (Apasmara) who symbolizes ignorance.
The upper right hand holds a small drum shaped like an hourglass that is called a damaru in Sanskrit. It is called Dhamarukha in Hindi. A specific hand gesture (mudra) is used to hold the drum. It symbolizes sound originating Creation.
The upper left hand contains Agni or fire, which signifies destruction. The opposing concepts in the upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction.
The second right hand shows the Abhaya mudra (meaning fearlessness in Sanskrit), bestowing protection from both evil and ignorance to those who follow the righteousness of dharma.
The second left hand points towards the raised foot, which signifies uplift and salvation. The hand also symbolises the trunk of the elephant-headed Ganesha, son of Shiva, known as the remover of obstacles and a symbol of strength.
The dwarf on which Nataraja dances, is the demon Apasmara, which symbolises Shiva's victory over ignorance.
As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Shiva performs the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and resolved. Shiva's long, matted tresses, usually piled up in a knot, loosen during the dance and crash into the heavenly bodies, knocking them off course or destroying them utterly.
The surrounding flames represent the manifest Universe.
The snake swirling around his waist is kundalini, the Shakti or divine force thought to reside within everything.
What makes Giddha so popular is that it is not performed according to any cut-and-dried rule. Harmony is the essence in gidda movements that are inclusive of swinging and twisting the body, shaking of the shoulders, bending to a double and clapping. Giddha dance incorporate village life scenes of woman spinning, fetching water from the well and grinding. This is accompanied with appropriate boli and songs.
The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance. One of the girls plays on the drum or 'dholki' while others form a circle. While moving in a circle, the girls raise their hands to the level of their shoulders and clap their hands in unison.Rhythm is generally provided by clapping of hands.
Quick is the movement of the feet in its faster parts that it is difficult for the spectator even to wink till the tempo falls again.
The three resin dolls of Punjabi women dancing Gidda dance. The well dreaaed women are exuding enthusiasm and spirit. Gidda is a popular folk dance performed by Punjabi women and this beautiful dance exhibits teasing, fun and exuberance of Punjabi life. Gidda dance is just as energetic as Bhangra, another very popular Punjabi dance form, and at the same time it manages to creatively display feminine grace and elasticity. Gidda dance is stylistically simple. Jingle of the bells, thumping of the feet, beat of the drum and the resplendence of Punjabi women in salwar kameej creates an enchanting atmosphere for it. Harmony is the essence in gidda movements that are inclusive of swinging and twisting the body, shaking of the shoulders, bending to a double and clapping. Giddha dance incorporate village life scenes of woman spinning, fetching water from the well and grinding. This is accompanied with appropriate boli and songs.