The art and iconography of the Hoysala period has stood the test of time. To this day in the inner recesses of the state of Karnataka, one may find remnants of an enduring aesthetic.
It is awe-inspiring, found in the form of ancient temple architecture and the iconography prevailing therein. The Lord Shiva sculpture that you see on this page draws from that long-standing tradition of the aesthetics of the Hoysalas.
It is a depiction of His Pashupatinatha form and includes His wife, Devi Parvati, and His faithful companion, Nandi. An epithet of Rudra or Shiva, Pashupatinatha translates to lord (‘natha’) and master (‘pati’) over all of fauna (‘pashu’).
Note the shape of the typical quadruped animal in His left posterior hand. The origins of Lord Pashuatinatha lie in the Vaidikayuga (Vedic age). A chaturbhujadhari (the one possessed of four arms) deity, He is seated in lalitasana, the widely popular stance in Indian iconography, on the back of His trusty vahana (mount). The calm and beauteous Devi Parvati is seated on the lap of her husband.
They both raise a hand in blessing over their devotees. Sculpted from pure bronze, this murti is a fine example of Southern workmanship. The medium itself is a heritage of the region’s great sculptural tradition. Some other hallmarks of the same are the dense proportions of shringar on Pashupatinath, Parvati, and Nandi; and the neatly and handsomely etched features on each of the three faces.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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