Mahishasura-Mardini

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This excellently modeled figure with a benign face represents the six-armed goddess Durga subduing the demon Mahisha, hence popularly revered as Mahishasura-mardini – Durga subduing the demon Mahisha. Unlike the usual Mahishasura-mardini  icons, a painting or sculpture, that represent the demon as half buffalo and half man this statue represents the two figures, the demon’s anthropomorphic icon and the buffalo’s animal form, as detached, complete and independent. Here the demon, the usual human form, appears to be riding the buffalo, though a bit awkwardly, he is seated on its hind part. The goddess has held the demon by his head with one of her left hands while she is striking on his breast with a spear held in one of her right hands. In an effort to contain it the goddess has planted one of her feet on the buffalo’s neck, though taking the animal just as the demon’s mount, not his component as the animal form is conceived in most other representations, the goddess seems to spare its life.<p>

Corresponding to this duality – the demon separated from the animal, his basic character as also his essential form the legends consider him to originate in, the goddess’s apparent act – annihilation of the demon, is completely different from her intrinsic ‘bhava’ – the essence of her being as reflects in the demeanour of her face. Instead of wrath or anger, or an eagerness to curve a wrong her deep contemplative face enshrines some kind of deep concern perhaps for mankind. Not ferocious or awful, as someone killing a buffalo should naturally look like, in her triply curving, proportionate and balanced figure, colourfully clad and gracefully adorned the goddess is the model of sublime beauty. Whatever its central theme – killing a demon linked with an ugly looking animal like buffalo, the statue, each detail minutely carved and brilliantly painted, outstands in aesthetic beauty. The statue’s aesthetics being its focal point the artist preferred keeping not only the statue’s human form unmixed from buffalo’s but also conceived his figure as one of a normal human being. Perhaps for emphasizing this aspect further he has carved a devotee figure on the goddess’s right that has been modeled exactly like the demon.<p> 

Rendered – carved and painted, in characteristic South Indian idiom adhering on one hand to her mythical aspect and on the other to South Indian cult of ornamentation and benignity of form, the six-armed goddess is carrying in her right side hands ‘chakra’ – disc, spear with axe-head and triply formed blade, and sword, and in those on the left side, trident and shield, the sixth holds the demon’s head. Clad in tight fitted ‘antariya’ – lower wear, and a sensually fashioned ‘stana-pata’ – breast-band, and appropriately ornamented – a towering crown along a halo, beautiful frill suspending along her girdle between the parting of legs, an elaborate girdle and ornaments on neck, ears, shoulders, arms, feet and other body-parts, the image of the goddess has been installed on a rectangular platform consisting of a plain moulding on the top, and conventional lotus motifs in the rising.<p>

Sculpting Serenity: Unveiling the Art of Crafting Wood Statues

Wood has been a preferred material for sculptures and statues since ancient times. It is easy to work with than most metals and stones and therefore requires less effort to shape it into any desired shape or form. The texture of the wood gives an element of realism to the sculpture. The selection of an appropriate wood type is necessary for carving. Woods that are too resinous or coniferous are not considered good for carving as their fiber is very soft and thus lacks strength. On the other hand, wood such as Mahogany, Oakwood, Walnut wood, Weet cherry wood, etc., are preferred by sculptors because their fiber is harder. A wood sculptor uses various tools such as a pointed chisel in one hand and a mallet in another to bring the wood to the desired measurement and to make intricate details on it. A carving knife is used to cut and smooth the wood. Other tools such as the gouge, V-tool, and coping saw also serve as important tools in wood carving. Although the wood carving technique is not as complex and tough as stone carving or metal sculpting, nonetheless, a wood carver requires a high level of skills and expertise to create a stunning sculpture.

1. Selecting the right wood

The process of wood carving begins with selecting a chunk of wood that is required according to the type and shape of the statue to be created by the sculptor. Both hardwoods and softwoods are used for making artistic pieces, however, hardwoods are preferred more than softer woods because of their durability and longevity. But if heavy detailing is to be done on the statue, wood with fine grain would be needed as it would be difficult to work with hardwood.

2. Shaping the wood

Once the wood type is selected, the wood carver begins the general shaping process using gouges of various sizes. A gouge is a tool having a curved cutting edge which is useful in removing large unwanted portions of wood easily without splitting the wood. The sculptor always carves the wood across the grain of the wood and not against it.

3. Adding detailing

When a refined shape of the statue is obtained, it is time for making details on the statue using different tools. This is achieved by using tools such as a veiner to make and a V-tool to create decorative and sharp cuts.

4. Surface finishing

Once finer details have been added, the sculptor is ready to smoothen the surface and give it a perfect finish. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are used to get a smooth surface. The finer polishing is obtained by rubbing the surface with sandpaper. If a textured surface is required, this step is skipped. Finally, to protect the statue from excessive dirt accumulation, the sculptor applies natural oils such as walnut or linseed oil all over it. This also brings a natural sheen to the statue.