This powerful image, a statue cast in brass represents Lord Shiva in a form of dance. The statue is known for its great plasticity, perfect modeling, sharp features, well-defined iconography, precision and minute details, which this brass masterpiece equally shares with the earlier examples. The artist has installed the image on a relatively high pedestal so that it does not sink into its base, lose its verticality and fail to reach the viewer’s eye level. The figure has exceptionally fine ornamentation, a thoughtful face, and an extremely balanced figure with a well-proportioned body endowed with a diction – body language of its own.
In Indian mythological tradition dance has been associated with three divinities, Vishnu, Kali and Shiva. Besides as Krishna, his incarnation, Vishnu resorted to dance just once when in his transform as Vamana he danced to span the cosmos – all three worlds, in one stride. Kali’s dance, which she performed invariably at and around cremation ground, confined to annihilation. Thus, Kali and Vishnu, both as Vamana and Krishna, danced to a form and for accomplishing a single objective. Shiva danced beyond form. His dance had cosmic magnanimity and timelessness. The dance, which the tradition has perceived as the divine science of body that makes it capable of manifesting the self within, is only Lord Shiva’s attribute.
In Lord Shiva’s context the dance is the celestial exposition of the being’s total, not merely an aspect, comprising eternal six 'bhavas' – emotions, namely, 'shrashti' – creation, 'samhara' – destruction, 'vidya' – the known, 'avidya' – not known, 'gati' – motion, and 'agati' – inertness. He danced to delight and create, as also to destroy and annihilate. ‘Lasya’, the dance revealing love and aesthetic beauty, as well as ‘Tandava’ or ‘Ananda-Tandava’ and ‘Tripurantaka’, the dance-forms revealing dissolution, both are Shiva’s aspects. Hence, the mythological tradition has attributed to Shiva alone the epithet Natesh, meaning the supreme dancer or the king of dancers. ‘Nataraja’, an epithet identical to Natesh, has in the course of time rigidified as denoting ‘Ananda-Tandava’, a dance-mode, not the dance in aggregate. Contrarily, Natesh does not denote a dance mode or form but rather absolute accomplishment in dance – a synthesis of multi-forms, which is Lord Shiva’s exclusive attribute and which this brilliant statue manifests.
This magnificent brass-cast synthesises three cosmic dance-forms, the Tripurantaka and the Ananda Tandava, the former which Lord Shiva performed for eliminating Tripura – demons’ three cities, and the latter, that he performed for destroying the entire creation after the Great Age, and Vishnukrant, Vishnu’s dance which he performed for annihilating the mighty demon Mahabali. In Vishnukrant, Vishnu had so extended his right leg that it had spanned the entire creation and beyond. In Tripurantaka Lord Shiva had lifted his left leg and holding it in one of his hands had used it as an instrument of destruction. The Ananda Tandava that he performed was fiery and accompanied by devastating sound. Accordingly, in iconographic form of this dance flames of fire are represented as rising from the palm of one of his hands, and in the other, he holds a drum. The statue’s right leg shot missile-like into space pursues Vishnukrant dance-form but different from it and quite like Tripurantaka this leg has been held in one of the hands. The lotuses used in designing pedestal are an attribute of Vishnu, but snakes scattered all over are Shiva’s associates, and with their hoods held high express the ecstasy which defines Shiva’s dance.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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