62'' Large Superfine Seated Uma Parvati (Bhoga Shakti) | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai (Shipped by Sea)

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“Mahishasur Mardini Stotram”- the hymn penned by sage Shankaracharya in the praise of the mother-goddess Durga begins by relating her to the daughter of Himalaya, Uma-Parvati, the primordial goddess who is the manifestation of the pure, active, feminine energy of the universe- “Prakriti”. Also known as “Shakti”, the primeval female has many forms. She is Durga in the battle with Mahishasur, She is Kali who annihilates time and death, She is Lakshmi who enables life on earth, and She is Saraswati who inspires the creative mind. In the Shaiva shrines of Tamil Nadu, “Shakti” reveals herself as “Uma-Parvati”, “Shivakamasundari”, and “Tripurasundari”- the divine counterpart of Adi Deva Shiva, complementing him in every way, as a devout wife.

In this form, manifested in the serene Panchaloha bronze statue, “Mahadevi” Parvati is called “Bhoga Shakti”- the goddess of Pleasure, who by mirroring the persona of Shiva through her physical and abstract body, brings him out of his meditative state, and becomes the cause of the Creation (Srishti).

With the attitude of a queen, Devi Uma in this Panchaloha statue rests on a “Kamalasana”- lotus throne, which is placed in close proximity to the idol of Shiva, in their palace-like abode. Devi’s throne is a two-tiered platform, decorated in detail with tiny floral motifs between every two petals. Supporting Uma’s leg on the throne is a small cushion- an attribute that shows the Panchaloha artist’s concern towards the comforts of the Universal queen mother.

The “Mahishasur Mardini Stotram” elucidate the luminous beauty of Uma- describing her gait like the graceful “Hamsa” (swan flock), her face that makes the glow of the full moon docile with its aura, her eyes that surpass the black bumblebee with their mystical allure, her hair looking like the Bakula blossom covered with black bees. These poetic verses of the Stotram have been materialized in this outstanding Uma bronze sculpture.

If we divide this exquisite Uma bronze into the ancient measurement units- “Talas” (one Tala equal to the palm of the hand, from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist), we will be able to truly appreciate the intricate work done by the Sthapatis on this gigantic bronze from Swamimalai. Starting from her matted hair styled in an extensively elaborate fashion, each part of this bronze Uma murti is worth hours of beholden gazing. The Jatamukut (crowns made from locks of hair) of the daughter of Himalaya copies the high rising peaks of the mountains. The eyes of Uma are no less than the celestial bodies- the Sun and the Moon. The “Yajnopavita” or sacred thread appears to be a heavenly stream meandering between a deep valley. Devi’s legs, sturdy yet agile remind us of the tree trunks, full of enriching elements. Adorned with such marvelous features, this bronze sculpture of goddess Uma is her most enchanting representation as “Prakriti”- who is the singular source of all the scenic beauty around us.  And who could ornament “Tripurasundari” (the most beautiful woman in three worlds) ?

Besides a “Trivalli” (three-strand) necklace, a tiara-like crown, armbands, waistbands, and anklet- all of them simple in make, the Shilpi of this bronze Uma icon has avoided adding any excessive ornamentation. Human jewels simply can not be enough to beautify the Mahadevi. The mythical “Makara” motif (symbol of divine beauty) repeated on her ornamentation is an attempt to please the mother-goddess who sustains every life form, with our meager sources and knowledge. The great mother Uma-Parvati, residing in this imposing Panchaloha icon, smiles inwardly- a smile that is riveting and calming simultaneously. 

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.