44" Ardhanarishvara | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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A superbly detailed bronze such as this one has been made in the traditional madhuchista vidhana, an ancient, Agamic term for what is now known as the lost-wax method. From the flaying locks of Pashupatinath to the pleats of silk of Parvati’s dhoti, there is both skill and shraddha in the execution. The most striking aspect of this composition is the damroo on Ardhanrishvara’s head, around which is wound the body of a snake with its hood raised.

Accross all the religions ever existed on this plane, the gods have either been portrayed as a male or female. But in the Hindu philosophy, there is a form of Shiva, where he has been portrayed as half male and half female. This form of Shiva is known as lord Ardhanarishwar. And the concept of Ardhnarishwar is not just about art, it is emerging from a deep insight into the nature of human existence.

Just as the universe exists because of the play of Dvait (duality), this duality manifests in the human body as well, in the form of masculine and feminine energy. When these two energies unite in perfect synchronicity, the human being rises above the nature of duality and becomes one with the source of very existence. This is what lord Ardhanarishwar symbolises, the perfect unity of the Purusha (masculine) and Prakriti (feminine).

This beautiful bronze statue portrays Lord Ardhanarishwar similar to his depiction in the ancient artworks. The sculptors of Swamimalai have done a brilliant work by portraying a perfect synchronicity between the male and female part of the statue, as if they are complementing and incomplete without each other.

The male part Shiva, is barely clad and holding a weapon in one of his two hands. The Devi on the other hand, is clad with beautiful clothes and exquisite jewelries while her hand is bent in a delicate manner. Shiva is sporting a Cresent moon on his forehead that is adding to the glory of the lord. The face looks perfectly equanimous and dripped in blissfulness.

Lord Ardhanarishwar points toward a very deep mystery that is the very basis of the creation. This enchanting statue inspires to unfold that mystery, for Lord Ardhanarishwar is the very manifestation of that reality

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.