Artist : T. Kathiravan
Award : Team Award (2021-22)
Place : Mallapuram
The Dying Karna Giving His Golden Teeth to Lord Krishna is a remarkable and award-winning wooden sculpture that beautifully depicts a significant episode from the epic Mahabharata. Created by the talented artist Shri. T. Kathiravan from Mallapuram, this masterpiece encapsulates the philosophy of selflessness and sacrifice. The sculpture is divided into three parts, with the bottom part portraying the life story of Karna, the noble warrior.
The second and main part captures the poignant moment where Karna, pierced with arrows, offers his golden teeth to Lord Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin seeking alms. This act demonstrates Karna's unparalleled generosity and his capacity for giving, thereby proving his righteous character. The final part of the sculpture portrays a chariot, symbolizing Karna's journey towards divinity. Atop the chariot, Lord Vishnu is seated, accompanied by Garuda and other celestial beings showering flowers and applauding Karna's unwavering strength and integrity, even in his final moments.
The sculpture showcases the intricacies of wood carving techniques, such as deep carving, shallow carving, latticework, and fretwork, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are truly exceptional, reflecting the artistic brilliance of Kerala's wood carving tradition. This sculpture serves as a visual representation of the timeless values of selflessness, sacrifice, and the triumph of righteousness over adversity, reminding us of the profound philosophical lessons embedded within the Mahabharata.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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