Lord Ganesha Seated On A High Pedestal

Upon a high pedestal sits the Lord Ganesha. Son of Shiva-Parvati, prince of paraloka. The Sanskrt word ‘paraloka’ translates to an otherworldly (‘para’) realm of existence (‘loka’), and in Hinduism is the equivalent of the Abrahamic heavens. The indubitable status of Lord Ganesha has been captured to perfection in this richly coloured wooden sculpture. Having been made after the ancient temple architecture of the South, it would be a valuable addition to the home or office of any devotee.

A dhoti of silk, and bejewelled shringar on the rest of His body. He is chaturbhujadhari, the one possessed of (‘dhari’) four (‘chatur’) arms (‘bhuja’), and has the body of a plump boy-child. Sculpted from homegrown wood of the tropics, this murti is characterised by symmetry of form and superb iconographic detail. From the folds of His attire to the elements of His adornment, each aspect of the composition has been defined by the infusion of colour and curvature. Their superb execution is a hallmark of superior workmanship.

The most statement-making aspect of this murti is the pedestal on which Lord Ganesha is seated. It is almost half the height of the work and features multiple tiers, each engraved more intricately than the other. Lotus petals of varying shapes and colours as well as simplistic geometric curves. A round floral motif over the midline and the presence of the vahana to the left of the figure, complete the picture.