A stunning South Indian Temple Carving of the Five forms of Lord Ganesh - almost 4 feet wide.
Dimensions: 42" x 11" x 2".
Weight 12 lbs.
Free Worldwide Shipping!Detailed Traditional Description:This extraordinary South Indian Temple Carving of five forms of Lord Ganesh, features fine detailed carving and artwork finished with astonishing precision. The luster that each figure
radiates, the expression on each face attuned to the figure's entire
concept, the rhythm that each figure individually and the entire panel
collectively reveals, and the strange sense of proportion and symmetry
are attributes rarely seen in a wood-piece with such dimensions.
Besides the universal doctrine of multiplying a deity's presence by
creating the deity's multiple icons, as the Buddhist devotees created in
the form of "Thousand Buddha" or the Vaishnavite, in multiplication of
Vishnu's icons, this artifact seems to suggest that none other than
Ganesh himself has the ability to perform for and attend upon Lord
Ganesh, that is, Ganesh is the deity, Ganesh, the dancer-devotee, and
Ganesh, the guardian of the door. Thus, while the artist seeks
multiplication of auspiciousness that Lord Ganesh manifests by
multiplying the number of his images and multiplying thereby his formal
appearance, he creates a strange drama or a new Ganesh myth in which
Lord Ganesh himself is in every role: the enshrining or presiding
deity, as his lotus-seated image in the centre with the deity-like
composure and grace represents, the devotee, as his images in the
posture of ecstatic dance flanking the central image indicate, and the
securer of the doors, as his mount-riding images in readiness to charge
like winds on the enemy suggest.
All five forms of Lord Ganesh that this wood panel represents are
four-armed carrying in them the same attributes: goad, noose, broken
tusk and a mango fruit-like object, and have identical anatomy:
pot-belly, figure-height, style of ears among others. The adornment of
all five figures is also largely identical: the same type of crowns,
band around the belly, and other ornaments. Even the forms of arches and
shikhara motifs over each of the deity-icons, the symbolic
representation of the sanctums that they enshrine, have been almost
identically conceived and carved. The baskets containing "modakas" -
laddus or ball-like shaped sweets, and the icons of mouse, his mount,
both miniaturized and enlarged suitably to ride on, are also carefully copied on each panel.
Despite these similarities, there are important differences - The trunks of the figures on the right to the center are turned to right - "valampuri" as a trunk turned to right is
known; whereas the trunks of those on the left, along with the central
figure itself, to left - edampuri, as the trunk turned to left is known.
Such postures of the trunk have symbolic meaning. Symmetrical
perspective balancing both sides apart, with such varying dimensions of
his trunk the elephant god has his sway in all directions. The central Ganesha is seated on a full blooming lotus - the image
reveals rare grace and divinity. A well laid "antariya" - lower
wear, and the green sash-like "vaijayanti" - a garland of celestial
flowers, further add to such perspectives of the image.
The forms of Ganesh, flanking the central figure, are engaged in
ecstatic dance. Ecstasy reveals in each limb, and body's twists are
exceptionally articulated, especially the motion of the belly which
twists to right if the left leg is raised, and to the left,
if the leg is raised to the right. Here the multiplication doctrine does
not work. Instead of multiplying the divine presence of the central
figure, or the auspiciousness that such presence manifests, these forms
rather diversify it. These deity-forms lead to ecstasy, to the
realization of the deity by being one with him and by shedding away
one's own self and uniting with him in divine ecstasy. An ecstatic dance
is the devotee's tool that here in this representation Lord Ganesh in
one of his manifestations wields. Again for symmetry, the two figures
have raised in the dance-move their opposite legs. Two other
manifestations of Great Lord, on the extreme right and left, are on
their mounts that with their muzzles raised skywards indicate that they
are alert against everything untoward and ready to move and destroy.
