In the Tamil Shaiva tradition, Uma-Parvati, the beloved of Lord Shiva is evoked as the energy that empowers Shiva, her presence is what makes Mahadeva Shiva auspicious for his devotees. This belief in the inseparability of Shiva and Shakti manifests itself in a rich profusion of Panchaloha Uma bronzes which depict the mother goddess as Palli Arai Devi or the goddess of the Bedchamber (of Shiva).
These Uma bronze icons are sparsely adorned yet represent one of the most enchanting forms of the great Hindu goddess, who is endearingly called- “Bhogashakti”- the goddess (Shakti) who is the sole cause of Shiva’s pleasure (Bhoga). Uma Parvati in this Panchaloha bronze is placed on a two-tiered platform, with its lower square portion patterned with incised lotus leaves and her throne formed like an upturned lotus.
Devi Parvati sits regally in the Lalitasana (posture of royal ease), her left foot pendant and the right one adorned with a Nupur (anklet) positioned on her floral seat. Uma’s exquisite is emphasized with an elongated Kiritamukuta which has pairs of Makara (a mythical creature that represents royalty and beauty) etched on its surface. The Makara motif is repeated on the mother goddess’s Makara kundala (earrings) and Bajubanda (armband).
The remaining ornamentation of Uma Parvati is tastefully simple along with a thick Yajnopavita (sacred thread) that runs diagonally on Devi’s bare torso and a Mekhala consisting of various beaded chains clasping her fine dhoti (lower body garment). A solar disc like Siraschakra (ornament behind the crown) draws attention to the beauty of Uma’s mukhamandala (visage) which is animated by lengthened eyes, sharp nose, and rivetingly smiling lips.
Devi’s left hand on the lotus throne supports the weight of her lithesome body and her right hand is in the Katakhasta mudra- a gesture for holding a flower. Hints of green patina on the Panchaloha Uma bronze statue give it an aesthetic appearance, giving you a museum-quality icon.
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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