Ganesha's Worship Of The Shivalingam

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Ganesha's lila is a highly popular subject matter with artists in the subcontinent. This is because his appeal transcends space and time; he is trilokyamohana, the enchanter of the three realms of existence. Tulsi Das Vimbark's watercolour brings out the divinity of the deity with perfection. The jewels that adorn His limbs and torso match the resplendence of His skin. His plump form is clad in richly coloured silks. His studded gold crown is a separate work of art within a work of art. The halo at His head seemingly illuminates the whole painting, lending the sky in the background a sublime golden glow.

Ganesha's stance is one of supreme devotion. He is seated on one knee upon the vibrant green grass. His four hands are occupied with ritual implements. A rosy bejewelled conch in the posterior left; a bunch of freshly gathered petals in the posterior right, which He is pouring on His object of worship. The anterior hands hold up a brilliant kamandal, from which a stream of Gangajal emerges atop the Shivalingam. He has placed the puja thali right next to Him, the puja samagri (remaining petals, rice grains, and vermillion) set on the same. Note the mouse, Ganesha's vahan, seated next to the puja thali, a delicious-looking laddoo in His front paws as an offering to his lord.

The Shivalingam has been painted with interesting detail. The very countenance of Shiva is reflected against the black. A string of pristine pearls graces the head of the lingam, while some of the petals of offering have gathered around the base. The Gangajal that Ganesha is offering in worship has gathered on the yoni, and is flowing into the river that runs in the foreground. Note how the cool grey, thickly layered brushstrokes of the stream complement the pale acquamarine band of sky. Placed along the bottoma nd top edges of the painting respectively, it adds balance to the composition.