Lord Shiva forms the part of the cosmic trinity and holds the position of being the destroyer of the impurities and evils prevailing in the universe. Lord Shiva is the darkness, which is always there. Light is a limited happening as it will eventually lose its ability, but darkness is eternal, it is everywhere, just like Lord Shiva. This wooden sculpture depicts the supreme being as the cosmic dancer, in the great Nataraja form. Lord dances on this floral plinth amidst the lush green forest, as represented by the long backdrop, carved in thick green vines coiled beautifully and bunches of fruits, along with two tiny peacocks perched on the top.
The unique aspect of this wooden sculpture is that Lord Shiva is carved in blue, symbolic of his extreme power when he drank the deadly poison Halahala, which made his neck turn blue, hence is also known by the name Neelkantha. This Tandava posture of Shiva is a major depiction in many Hindu temples of Shaivism. The sculptor has realistically carved the bent stance of his body with the hands and legs postured in their iconic form and the matted hair swinging out from either side.
The sculptor while carving out this Shiva wooden sculpture has played a beautiful contrast with the color palette. Having the garbs in a blended shade of red, orange, and yellow that matches with the background of trees and branches. Shiva’s jewels have an add-on hue of green to comply with the beauty of the flora of the jungle. Lord’s long crown depicts the beauteous long carvings of South Indian temples, adorned here with a half-moon towards the side. This tandava sculpture of Shiva is good ornamentation for Hindu temples or to accentuate the beauty of hotel receptions.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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