The Kalamkari painting of Rudragna Veerbhadra shows how natural colous could be made use of for depicting beauty. Kalamkari is an exquisite ancient craft of painted and printed fabrics. It derives it's name from Kalam meaning Pen, and Kari meaning work, literally Pen-work. It is a hand painting as well as block printing with vegetable dyes. Kalamkari art has evolved through trial and error over the last 3000 years. Techniques of craftsmanship in Kalamkari were handed down within the families from generation to generation
The Gond figure is nice crafted in the dhokra method and his liking for music is evident in the figure as he doesn’t seem to be satisfied with one instrument. He is playing one instrument and holding another in his other hand. Crafted in the lost wax method, the figure reflects the undying spirit of the tribal populace in Central India to preserve their rich cultural traits through the medium of art form.
The elephant has been given a colourful treatment by the artists using natural colours. Kalamkari is one of the most popular forms of paintings in India and it is a sharp medium of using colours for depicting natural and mythological characters. Popular in Andhra Pradesh, this form of painting is unique in using natural dyes. No chemicals are made use while depicting the figures.
The beautiful brass figure of the tribal lady musician is given a polished treatment in the traditional dhokra format as the almost naked figure of the lady from Chhatisgarh is all set to play music. She is wearing some bangles and other jewelleries and the figure reveals a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
The lanky figure of the Gond tribal has been crafted in the traditional dhokra style with some tribal features getting reflected in the figure. His legs are very long and the figure is wearing the loincloth. He is having a bow and an arrow in his hands. He is wearing some ornaments and his face is quite prominent. Crafted in the traditional lost wax technique, the figure attests to the desire of the tribal artists to preserve their traditions and culture through these statues.
The two sons of Lord Shiva Ganesha and Kartikeya are given a detail and royal treatment in the beautiful Kalamkari painting. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of colour as a medium to portray mythological characters. As the name suggests, Kalamkari is the art of painting cotton fabrics with a kalam i.e. pen, a sharp pointed pierced bamboo that regulates flow of colour on the fabric.
The figure of tribal musician has been nicely crafted out in a beautiful manner. The figure reflects the rich cultural traits of the tribals of the Bastar region, their love for music. The figure is shown getting ready to perform. Dhokra is a rich and ancient form of art and is associated with the tribal people of Central and Northern India.
The beautiful image of the Kondh Gondh girl has been crafted in the dhokra technique with some sparkling sculptural artistry. The figure is standing with her hands on her hips and her posture reflects a sensual appeal. The figure is less decorated and her breasts are prominent. Dhokra is an ancient technique of brass making and the lost wax technique is used to get the finished product.
The beautiful image of Lord Ganesha is being given a nice depiction in traditional Kalamkari style of painting and is shown in a seated posture. One of the most revered gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of any ceremony. He is the god of Wisdom and Learning. The Kalamkari painting is full of life and enthusiasm with some splendid designs on it.
The beautiful Kalamkari painting depicts the goddess of learning Saraswati on her vehicle the swan. She is a goddess worshipped in the Vedic religion. She is the goddess of learning and the arts (e.g., music). She is also worshipped as the goddess of thoughts of truth and forgiveness. She is also referred to as the goddess of knowledge, speech, poetry and music. Vedantins believe that only through the acquisition of knowledge does one reach the final path to moksha, or liberation from reincarnation. Only by worshiping Saraswati and continuously seeking true knowledge with one's complete attention can one attain the enlightenment necessary for moksha.
The painting of goddess Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful, fair-skinned woman dressed in pure white often seated on a white lotus along with the swan, 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. Occasionally, however, she is also associated with the colour yellow, the colour of the flowers of the mustard plant that bloom at the time of her festival in the spring. She is not adorned heavily with jewels and gold, unlike the goddess Lakshmi, but is dressed modestly--perhaps representing her preference of knowledge over worldly material things.
She is generally shown to have four arms, which represent the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. She is shown to hold the following in her hands:
The book, the sacred Vedas, represents the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as her perfection of the sciences and the scriptures. The mala of white pearls, represents the power of meditation and spirituality. The pot of sacred water, represents creative and purificatory powers.
The veena, a musical instrument that represents her perfection of all arts and sciences. Saraswati is also associated with Anurag, 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.
Sometimes a peacock is shown beside the goddess. The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the Goddess teaches Hindus not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth.
The beautiful painting depicts the Lord of Wisdom and one of the most revered gods in Hinduism, Ganesha with his consorts Ridhi and Sidhi in a most beautiful manner. The God is given a local depiction. Madhubani paintings are made on purely handmade paper with some natural dyes. Brushes, sharpened reeds and pen nibs are used to draw the designs and figurations. Local designs and styles are mainly used in this form of painting.
The metal figure of the tribal farmer is being nicely crafted out revealing the tough nature of life that a tribal farmer has to live. His facial and other bodily characteristics reveal the roughness that a tribal life has. Dhokra is an ancient form of sculpture practiced by the tribals of North and Central India since time immemorial. Crafted in the lost wax method that is quite tedious in nature, the sculpture has helped the tribals to preserve their age old cultural traits and practices.
A sense of calmness, gracefulness and satisfaction is manifest in the beautiful stone figure of Lord Ganesha. The stone figure of Lord Ganesha is given a refine and detail treatment with some sparkling carvings on it. The Lord of wisdom is one of the most-worshipped gods in Hinduism and he is worshipped before undertaking any journey or before beginning any ritual. Minute treatment, excellent carvings is manifest in the beautiful stone figure.
The holy family of Lord Shiva, his wife Parvati and the Elephant God Ganesha has been given a refine treatment in the Madhubani painting. The figures look more like human beings as the Mithila women painters depict the gracefulness of the Lord and his family. Madhubani paintings are popular in northern Bihar and purely natural dyes are used to depict mythological and popular themes.
The Hindu pantheon has tremendous reach even among the fringe societies. Thus Ganesha, one of the most popular Hindu gods, is popular even among the tribal society of Bastar. The God of wisdom has been crafted in the traditional dhokra technique and the lost wax method has been applied here. Dhokra is an ancient technique of tribal craft making and has been in vogue among the tribals of North and Central India.
The beautiful painting of Lalita Sundari has been set in the traditional Madhubani style in an embellished manner. She is seated on a throne of lotus coming out of the naval of Lord Shiva while Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are shown seated near her throne . She is called the radiant light in the eyes of Shiva. She is the Goddess of the three cities (tripura) which are sun, moon and fire. All creation, manifestation and dissolution is considered to be a play of Devi or the goddess. Lalita Mahatripurasundari is the central goddess to Sri Vidya tradition in Hindu religion, also, the "School of Auspicious Wisdom.Madhubani paintings are popular in northern Bihar and are mainly women centric.
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 in a dancing mode. 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 Kalamkari painting has depicted the fierce warrior in a focused way with the gods and goddesses around him paying for blessing. He is wearing the garland of skulls. The boundaries have been painted well. The enhancing effulgence of colours and the characters that emerge on cotton fabric, help create a resplendent spread. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of colour as a medium to portray mythological characters. As the nome de plume suggests, Kalamkari is the art of painting cotton fabrics with a kalam i.e. pen, a sharp pointed pierced bamboo that regulates flow of colour on the fabric. Kalamkari has a glorious history. The popularity of this exquisite form of art crossed the shores of the country during the 17th and 18th centuries. Kalahasti and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the nerve centres of this art continue to be beehives of Kalamkari activity. Kalamkari colours are made from vegetable dyes. In addition to themes from the epics, Kalamkari leitmotifs comprise different forms of the lotus flower, the carwheel, parrots, an interlacing pattern of leaves and flowers. In this craft, fabric is patterned through the medium of dye rather than loom. Ochre is one of the few colors which cotton would take on easily. But for other colors the fabric is to be initially treated with mordant that facilitated the absorption of the desired hue. Mordant can be easily applied either with block or with a brush or pen like instrument on a pre woven fabric. The use of the kalam (pen) on the cloth lent the term kalamkari to this art form.This art was used for decorative or functional hangings in domestic and monumental structures as wrapping and covering material, or in costume.The Kalamkari art is extensively practiced in South India. The Kalamkari practiced in Masaulipatnam has an intricacy with which the inner surface of each motif is further ornamented in delicate black tracery. Here, it is extensively used in prayer mats, wall hangings, and towels. The designs are floral, geometrical and figurative. The scenes from mythological stories are also depicted in the designs.
The sparkling pink stone figure of Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Narayan, is being nicely carved out with some dazzling carvings. The goddess of wealth is seated on a lotus and the she is wearing lot of jewelries, a characteristic of the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. The halo around her head is also given a sparkling treatment. She is one of the most-popular goddesses in Hinduism, who is worshipped for wealth and prosperity.
This cosmic dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy — creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion. According to Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also represents his five activities: 'Shrishti' (creation, evolution); 'Sthiti' (preservation, support); 'Samhara' (destruction, evolution); 'Tirobhava' (illusion); and 'Anugraha' (release, emancipation, grace). The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquillity, and outside activity of Shiva.
The beautiful perforated lantern has been crafted in the traditional dhokra art with four human figures standing in it. The human figures indicate that they are guarding the area with the lantern. A lantern is often used by the royal guards at night. Crafted in the traditional lost wax method, the figure is an epitome of the richness of Chhatisgarh’s trbal culture.
The beautiful stone figure of the Guru of Yoga Patanjali is given a refine and detail treatment with the Lord being carved out with folded hands. A sense of gracefulness and accomplishment is manifest in the figure. Maharshi Patañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, a major work containing aphorisms on the philosophical aspects of mind and consciousness, and also the author of a major commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi.
In recent decades the Yoga Sutra has become quite popular worldwide for the precepts regarding practice of Raja Yoga and its philosophical basis.
It is claimed that Patañjali is known to be an incarnation of Ādi 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 vyūha, the fourfold manifestation of Vishnu. Thus may Patañjali be considered as the one incarnation of God defending the ego of Yoga.
Patanjali was born to Atri (First of the Saptha Rishis) and his wife Anusuya in South kailash, now called as Thirumoorthy hills which is located 100km away from Coimbatore, India.
The figure crafted in the Dhokra style is a masterpiece of the tribal artists of Chhhatisgarh oozing out their caliber. Smoothness of the figure is quite attractive. Over the centuries this form of tribal art has been handed down from generations to generations with the effect that their traditional values, styles, motifs have been kept intact. Face, nose and the eyebrows of the figure have been masterly depicted. These tribal people who live in penury depict the bright and the beautiful as a mark of hope for the better.