The beautiful stone figure of the Lord of Wisdom is given a detail and refine treatment with some nice carvings on it. The Lord, who loves sweets, is holding sweets on his hands. One of the most popular deities in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped first among all deities while undertaking a ritual.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most prominent deities in Hinduism. Ganesha has the unique distinction that his name is always invoked before any other God's name in any prayer service. Legend has it that Lord Ganesha received this distinction as a blessing from his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha is designated as the chief (-eesha) of all of Lord Shiva's ganas (servers) - hence his name, Ganesha.
The spectacular brass figure of the Lord Satyanarayan is given a resplendent treatment with some dazzling carvings on it. The Lord is standing tall and the figure is highly decorated. Some rich clothes and jewelries mark the figure.
Lord Satyanarayana is an extremely benevolent form of Lord Vishnu. An auspicious deity in Hinduism, 'panchamritam' is used to clean the place where the deity is placed. Satyanarayan Puja is one of the most popular ceremonies for the Hindus.
After placing the deity in the correct position, Satyanaraya Swami is worshipped with great devotion. Names of Satyanarayana are chanted along with offering of a variety of prasad (including a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt, sugar) and flower petals.
Lord Satyanarayana is commonly worshipped by Hindus in their homes along with family and friends for the general welfare of the family, to ward off evil spirits.
The worship is performed usually on a full moon (purnima) day of the month. People worship by reciting the gracious story of the Lord which was once told by Lord Vishnu himself to the sage Narada for the benefit of humankind.
The Lord's grace is described in a Hindu book called Skanda Purana. He has four hands like Lord Vishnu, however, his fourth hand does not hold a lotus rather it is extended upward to bless people.
The wish fulfilling cow Kamdhenu is being painted in the Kalamkari style with some dazzling style. The cow is painted with the face of a lady and the lower part that of a cow. The figure is being richly ornate and it contains some nice designs and ornaments. The boundaries of the painting are designed with some floral designs. The whole painting contains some beautiful floral designs. The effulgence of colours and the characters on cotton fabric has created a resplendent spread. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of colour as a medium to portray mythological characters.
The beautiful image of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of Wisdom is being given a refine treatment and he is shown in a dancing posture and two of his devotees are placating the God. The figures are being treated with rich ornaments and natural colours and lines are used in a profuse manner. Kalamkari is an art that involves weaving and hand block printing apart from painting. The figures with rounded shapes and border designs are typical of kalamkari.
The beautiful figure of Vishnu in his Matshya incarnation (Fish) is crafted in the traditional dhokra technique with some sparkling carvings. Dhokra (oldest) is a crafting tradition dating as far back as 2000 B.C. Dhokra art is largely associated with the tribal groups of northern India, including Vindhyas and the Eastern Ghats, Bihar and its surroundings, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Myriad images are cast in the dhokra tradition as artisans preserve their millenary culture, custom and belief through the wondrous pieces they create.
The beautiful wooden figure of the Lord Ganesha is painted light pink with some exquisite designs. Some spectacular floral designs surround the nicely carved figure. The Lord is wearing some garlands and nice drapery. A great sense of accomplishment and gravity is manifest on his face. Lotus is a symbol of purity and many gods and goddesses are often painted along with the holy flower.
The depiction of natural motifs with natural dyes on cotton cloth is a hallmark of the Kalamkari mode of painting. The beautiful painting depicts the trees as well as the parrot in a beautiful manner. The variety of colours and the characters that emerge on cotton fabric, help create a dazzling effect. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of colour as a medium to portray mythological characters. The floral designs on the boundaries of the painting are amazing.
The beautiful figure of the goddess of wisdom, i.e., Goddess Saraswati is crafted out of brass in the traditional Dhokra style with some greater degree of gracefulness and accomplishment. The Goddess is playing her veena and the peacock; her vehicle is also shown by her side. The Goddess is worshipped by the students and musicians alike and is one of the most popular goddesses in Hinduism. The figure contains some of the exquisite carvings on it.
The beautiful Kalamkari painting depicts the Lord Krishna driving the chariot for Arjuna at the battle of Kurukshetra. Developed in the temple region of Andhra Pradesh (Kalahasti), Kalamkari is a traditional painting style with strong line drawings. Paintings are made on cotton fabrics with a kalam i.e. pen, a sharp pointed pierced bamboo that regulates flow of colour on the fabric. Vegetable dyes are mainly used on cloth.
Tribal people are closely intimated with nature. There is a symbiotic relationship with the nature. This kind of relationship is being depicted in the beautiful painting on the Warli tribe. The tree has been beautifully painted showing the centrality of the trees to the lives of the Warlis. Warlis are brought up on the lap of nature and nature gives them plenty of food and shade.
These guardians of treasure are given a detail touch. They are guarding the royal treasure. There are lot of refine designs here. This beautiful work is crafted with the ancient dhokra technique, a laborious lost wax process practiced in north Indian region of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. In this technique, first a model is sculpted of clay and dried in the sun. Then it is covered with beeswax and more clay and a mold is formed. The piece is cast, cleaned and again dried in the sun. Finally, it is heated in the ground for five days and polished.
The beautiful brass work on the traditional dhokra technique is a masterpiece itself. The work shows the tribal people in full spirit and joy. They are sitting on the branches of the tree and reveal a deep sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment. This lovely work is crafted with the ancient dhokra technique, a laborious lost wax process practiced in the region. First, a model is sculpted of clay and dried in the sun; it is then covered with beeswax and more clay, forming a mold. The piece is cast, cleaned and again dried in the sun. Finally, it is heated in the ground for five days and polished.
The beautiful Warli painting depicts the busy life setting of the Warli tribe and shows how people are busy in their households, in the fields, in the kitchen, and in fetching water. The trees, the crops, the kitchen all have been given a nice treatment in the painting and is a happy combination of colour and lines.
The beautiful brass work is given a detail touch and is cast on the traditional dhokra technique. The work shows the tribal people in full spirit and joy. They are sitting on the branches of the tree and reveal a deep sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment. This lovely work is crafted with the ancient dhokra technique, a laborious lost wax process practiced in the region. First, a model is sculpted of clay and dried in the sun; it is then covered with beeswax and more clay, forming a mold. The piece is cast, cleaned and again dried in the sun. Finally, it is heated in the ground for five days and polished.
The heavily ornate figure of the elephant is being nicely painted in the traditional Kalamkari style. Literally meaning a pen work, this type of painting developed in the temple region of Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh. The beautiful painting contains lot of strong lines and drawings. No chemical colours are used in such paintings. The elephantine figure of the pachyderm is given a royal treatment and is the symbol of prestige and status in ancient India.
The spectacular stone figure of the Lord Ganesha, one of the most popular Hindu deities, is given a fine treatment with a greater sense of finesse and refinement. Here the Lord is seated expressing a deep sense of gravity and accomplishment. Lord Ganesha is also known as the Remover of Obstacles as he creates obstacles on our path and removes the same following proper invocation. Thus, he is called as Vighneshvara, (Lord of Obstacles). He creates difficulties and obstructions if the time is wrong for us to proceed and removes those obstacles when our success is assured.
This unique artistic portrayal of a tribal man with musical instrument riding an open-mouthed huge fish is yet another exquisite piece from Dhokra tribal artistry with Brass. A sure shot visual delight – it’s a composition that depicts a humble young musician playing Sitar, sitting comfortably on the top of a river fish (fish representing creativity, femininity, good luck and abundance). The statue has been adroitly carved out in Brass that renders it a pure charmer to the visual senses. Altogether, the golden idol makes an endearing must-have show piece in metal for home decoration.
Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered gods in Hinduism and the God of Wisdom, has been given a detail and refine treatment in the beautiful Kalamkari painting. Centred around Andhra Pradesh, this style of painting is famous for the use of natural colours. No chemicals are used whatsoever. His eight hands are being shown with different weapons on each of them. The painting is full of life and enthusiasm. Whereas one devotee is trying to placate the god, his vehicle, the mouse is relishing the sweets.