Statues

The diverse land of India is home to the third-largest religion in the world, Hinduism. Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma, is the oldest language with four major categorizations: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Religion in itself is a big umbrella beneath which exists a wide variety of thoughts or beliefs about the concept of God, the number of deities, traditions, philosophy, and faith of countless devotees. In Hindu philosophy there are several Gods and Goddesses, however, there are 3 principal gods that are above every other Gods and Goddesses. The Hindu Trimurti is the ultimate ruler of the universe, Lord Brahma is the creator, Lord Vishnu is the operator and, Lord Shiva is the destroyer. Brahma is the creator of everything in this universe, ancient scriptures show that Lord Brahma is a bearded deity with 4 heads residing in the Brahmaloka. Vishnu being the operator makes sure there is enough balance in the cosmos, he holds dharma above everything while teaching 6the mankind the importance of following the path of goodness and dharma. Shiva, the god of destruction can quite literally destroy the cosmos with his tandava. He represents universal masculinity and femininity in equal parts, as depicted by Ardhnarishwara.

Art Museums showcase a plethora of statues and sculptures from the ancient period to masterpieces handcrafted by artisans in modern times. Carved from stone or cast in bronze and brass, the statues display enchanting features representing the cultural, traditional, and different artistic styles of the era. One of the main attractions in Indian Artifacts is the intricately crafted Hindu Gods and Goddesses statues. Some commonly displayed deities are Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuman. Their iconography and symbolism are appreciated by art connoisseurs across the globe. India is a country with countless artistic talents that are passed down from one generation to another. South India is especially renowned for brass artistry using the age-old Lost Wax Method which involves several steps. The intricate details are worth seeing and admiring. Similarly, stone art on walls and pillars is also mastered by Indian sculptors. The designs are known for their extraordinary carvings which bring life to the wall. Do you ever wonder how museums preserve many centuries-old Hindu God statues as artifacts and yet they remain as fresh as ever? There is a complex process or system of preservation behind it to ensure their longevity and quality. Let us look at some of the methods:

Goddesses in Hindu culture or Sanatan Dharma, the oldest religion in the world, are linked with divine feminine energy – the nurturing and compassionate aspect of the Godhead. The Shaktism school of Hindu tradition considers Shakti (feminine energy) as the ultimate source of all creation and the cause of the maintenance and destruction of the material universe. In contrast, the Vaishnavas claim Lord Vishnu as the Supreme cause of all causes and the original Personality of Godhead. Goddesses are the internal potencies of the male consorts and assist them in their various material and spiritual affairs. This can be understood through the analogy of fire. Fire has the characteristics of light and heat. Without these elements, it cannot be regarded as fire. This means that light and heat are inseparable parts and parcels of fire. Similarly, Goddess or Shakti is the internal energy of the Godhead and cannot ever be separated from Him. The root cause of energy is the energetic.

“ॐ एकदंताय विद्महे, वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि, तन्नो दंती प्रचोदयात्”- “We bow to Him who has one tusk (Ekadanta), curving trunk (Vakratunda), who pervades this universe. The elephant-god (Danti) may bless us with the light of wisdom”. This is a mantra dedicated to the elephant-headed Lord, Sri Ganesha from the Vedic times which is chanted even today by the worshippers of this loving and powerful Hindu god who is synonymous with goodness and success in human life. Prathama-puja (first worshipped), Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles), and Ganapati (lord of the Ganas) are some of the epithets of the elephant-headed God, which are enough to make us understand his place in Hinduism. Imparting wisdom to students, creativity to artists, strength to people fighting battles of life, and spiritual consciousness to the Yogis in search for the ultimate truth- Sri Ganesha a wholesome Hindu god.

Cultural sculpture, stonework, and casting, in India - in the form of primitive cupule art - dates back to the era of prehistoric art of the Lower Paleolithic, around 700,000 BCE - By the time of the Bronze Age, sculpture was already the predominant form of artistic expression throughout the Indian subcontinent, even though mural painting was also popular. Sculpture was used mainly as a form of religious art to illustrate the principles of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism. These works of art have found a way in decor – not simply home, but they can be put anyplace – your office, your nursery, and even in an open-air place.