Lord Shiva is one of the Trinity gods in Hinduism, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva is responsible for the destruction of the old world and paving the way for the regeneration of the new world order. Lord Shiva is also a great ascetic and He is often shown engrossed in deep meditation. In this beautiful brass image of the meditative Shiva, the Lord is crafted out holding the Rudraksh garlnd. He is seated on the skin of a tiger. The figure shows a deep sense of aesthetic beauty and accomplishment.
A riot of colours, the beautiful Kalamkari painting reveals the beauty of the tree full of leaves. The painting is being given a royal and colourful treatment by the artists of Andhra Pradesh. The painting reveals s greater degree of gracefulness and feminine nature. The resplendent tree is indeed a masterpiece in the traditional Kalamkari style of painting. The effulgence of colours and the characters that emerge on cotton fabric, help create a resplendent spread in the painting.
The beautiful brass figure of Maharshi Patanjali is given a detail and refine treatment.
Patañjali is known to be an incarnation of Adi S'esha who is the first ego-expansion of Vishnu, Sankarshana. Sankarshana, the manifestation of Vishnu His primeval energies and opulences, is part of the so-called catur vyuha, the fourfold manifestation of Vishnu. Thus may Patañjali be considered as the one incarnation of God defending the ego of yoga.
There is an interesting story about his birth.
There was a great Yogini called Gonika, who was praying for a worthy son to transmit her knowledge. Patanjali, as a tiny snake, fell from the heavens into her palms as her reward. So he came to be known as Patanjali. 'Pata' means to fall and 'Anjali' is hands cupped in prayer.
Yoga Sutra is also credited to Patanjali. He is always depicted as a four-armed man up to the waist, after which his body becomes a great serpentine triple coil. The triple coil of the body represents the dormant Kundalini Shakti, the primal energy of creation. Two hands in the rear, symbolizing spiritual attributes, hold up the emblems of Vishnu, the conch and the discus. His front hands are folded in Anjali mudra more commonly known as the Namaste, India's ancient and powerful spiritual greeting. The serpent hoods forming a royal umbrella over his head are normally seven in number, signifying his transcendence of the Five Elements and the achievement of Enlightenment and Liberation. The snake rises along the back of the spine as the Kundalini energy does when it is activated. When the Kundalini reaches the chakra above the head in the etheric body, full Enlightenment and Liberation is achieved.
The mighty figure of Lord Shiva is given a royal and vigorous treatment. Crafted out of brass in a most detail manner, his head is coiled by the snakes. His half-closed eyes are reflective of his meditative posture. Lord Shiva is one of the Trinity gods in Hinduism, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva is responsible for the destruction of the old world and paving the way for the regeneration of the new world order.
A nice depiction of a rural setting in Mithila is manifest in the beautiful Madhubani painting where seven women are making preparations for their pujas. Animal figures, birds are also being tattooed in the painting. The surroundings are given a natural treatment. Madhubani (Honey of Forest) is a traditional form of painting popular in North Bihar where the women use natural colours to paint mythological characters and their daily lives on cotton cloths. The painting is a reflective of the collective spirit involved in the work.
One of the most tragic moments of the epic Ramayana, Sita’s agnipariksha has been painted on handmade paper by the women artists of Mithila. One of the finest folk paintings of the country the Madhibani paintings are known for the tribal motifs and bright earthly characters. Though colours have not been used here prominently, the painters are making use of lines and other motifs to depict one of the finest moments in Ramayana. The size of the painting is 30" x 11" and could be used as wall hanging.
The Goddess of Learning is given a refine and detail treatment in the wooden figure. The goddess is depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white lotus. She is generally shown to have four arms, which represent the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. Alternatively, these four arms also represent the four Vedas. The four hands also depict this thusly - prose is represented by the book in one hand, poetry by the garland of crystal, music by the veena. The pot of sacred water represents purity in all of these three, or their power to purify human thought.She is shown to hold the following in her hands:A book, which is the sacred Vedas, representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as her perfection of the sciences and the scriptures. A mala of crystals, representing the power of meditation and spirituality. A pot of sacred water, representing creative and purificatory powers. The veena, a musical instrument that represents her perfection of all arts and sciences. Saraswati is also associated with anuraga, the love for and rhythm of music which represents all emotions and feelings expressed in speech or music. It is believed that children born with that name will prove to be very lucky in their studies. A white swan is often located next to her feet. The sacred swan, if offered a mixture of milk and water, is said to be able to drink the milk alone. The swan thus symbolizes discrimination between the good and the bad or the eternal and the evanescent. Due to her association with the swan, Goddess Saraswati is also referred to as Hamsa-vahini, which means "she who has a swan as her vehicle".She is usually depicted near a flowing river, which may be related to her early history as a water goddess. The swan and her association with the lotus flower also point to her ancient origin.
The beautiful wooden figure of the Goddess of Learning and Art is given a refine and detail treatment in the wooden figure. The goddess is depicted as a beautiful woman seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes that she is founded in the experience of the Absolute Truth. Thus, she not only has the knowledge but also the experience of the Highest Reality. She is mainly associated with the color white, which signifies the purity of true knowledge. She is shown with four arms, which represent the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. Alternatively, these four arms also represent the 4 Vedas, the primary sacred books for Hindus. The four hands also depict this thusly - prose is represented by the book in one hand, poetry by the garland of crystal, music by the Veena. The pot of sacred water represents purity in all of these three, or their power to purify human thought.She is shown here playing the Veena and she is seated on a lotus. The aura surrounding the goddess is given a refine and exquisite treatment.
Mother Goddess Lakshmi or Sri is the female energy of the Supreme Being. She is the Bestower Of Wealth,Abundance,Prosperity and purity.She is the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.For Hindus the meaninig of Laksmi is Good Luck,the word Laksmi is derived from the Sanskrit (ancient Indian language) word Lakshaya means aim and Mi is for self,thus the aim for a good self.Although she is worshipped daily, the festive Hindu month of Kartik is Lakshmi's special month.In Vedas Lakshmi is depicted as a Hiranyavarna or golden complexioned woman with four hands, sitting or standing on a full bloomed lotus and holding two lotus buds on Her two upper arms,cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from Her lower left hand or some times she is represented as holding a bowl of wealth in Her left hand while She blesses mankind with Her lower right hand.
The beautiful wooden 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 dancing in a circle of flames, lifting his left leg and balancing over a demon or dwarf (Apasmara) who symbolizes ignorance. It is a well-known scultptural symbol in India and popularly used as a symbol of Indian culture. The form is present in most Shiva temples in South India, and is the main deity in the famous temple at Chidambaram.
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.
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 five delicately-designed figures of Lord Ganesha is different postures are given some spectacular and exquisite treatment. The figures have been nicely treated with some spectacular designs and carvings. Some floral colourful designs on the borders of the panel have made the panel even more attractive. One of the most-popular gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is the Remover of Obstacles and the Lord of Wisdom, and he is worshipped at the beginning of any ritual or ceremony. He is the symbol of good beginning and is considered one of the most benevolent gods in Hinduism. Son of Lord Shiva, one of the Trinity Gods in Hinduism, the other two being Lord Brahma and Vishnu, and Parvati, Lord Ganesha could be easily propitiated by offering sweets.
The spectacular wooden figure of the Goddess of Learning is given a beautiful treatment with some exquisite carvings. Refinement of the statue, the gracefulness of a woman, the sensuality and accomplishment are being aptly showcased in the beautiful wooden figure of the Goddess Saraswati. She is shown playing the vina. Her prominent breasts, dazzling ornaments, beautiful designs all make the figure a piece of beauty and sculptural excellence. The figure is full of life and her dancing posture reveals a deep sense of aesthetic beauty and grandeur. One of the most important goddesses in Hinduism, the Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by students and musicians alike.
The ferocious goddess Mahakali is being painted with the garland of the skulls of human beings. She is shown trampling over the sleeping body of Lord Shiva. He body is painted indigo and the surroundings are painted using some variegated colours. The borders are painted nicely with some fishes. Her bulging lip, broad eyes, long hair all make her a fearful god. But worshipping her help us get rid of evil forces. The goddess is being given a local touch by the women artists of Mithila.
The beautiful wooden figure of the head of a horse is given a colourful treatment with some nice carvings on the figure. Even the eyes, ears and teeth of the animal are beautifully carved out. Horses played an important role in ancient and medieval India, especially in battles.
The refinement of the statue, the gracefulness of a woman, the sensuality and accomplishment are being aptly showcased in the beautiful wooden figure of the Goddess Saraswati. Her prominent breasts, dazzling ornaments, beautiful designs all make the figure a piece of beauty and sculptural excellence. The figure is full of life and her dancing posture reveals a deep sense of aesthetic beauty and grandeur. One of the most important goddesses in Hinduism, the Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by students and musicians alike.