In the Hindu trinity, though Shiva represents asceticism, in visual culture his personality was used by Chola patrons and artists to highlight the ideal male, an epitome of physical magnificence. Shiva as Vrishvahana- the rider of bull, was the result of the imagination of bronze sculptors when they tried to fuse the imagery of the king with the persona of Shiva.
Shiva’s jatas in this Swamimalai bronze are transformed into a turban-shaped hairdo, embellished by the crescent moon, held in place by snakes. His facial expressions are introspective and stable, while his posture is active, made to appear realistic through incised lines showing the bends and folds of the skin. Even with minimal ornamentation, and a short loincloth, this bronze Shiva statue does complete justice to the concept of an all-powerful chief, which was the idea behind the conception of Shiva Vrishvahana.
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