Originally the Indian Garuda was represented as a bird. Later his form assumed that of a 'bird man'- a creature half eagle and half man, combining a human body with a bird's head, beak, and wings. Zoomorphic variations of the Garuda's artistic representation diffused throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and South East Asia. In Bali his animalistic image assumed great popularity.
Bejewelled richly, and wearing a short dhoti which ends slightly above his knees, Garuda is adorned here with the typical South Indian high-crown, known as kirti-mukuta, or the 'crown of glory.' He stands upon a high, multiple-tiered pedestal, embellished with lotus-petal motifs all round.
Garuda's body is well-proportioned and majestic. Though his hands folded in the 'namaskar' mudra express his humility, the strong and lithe body are ample indicators of his inherent power. He stands in a dynamic posture with the left leg slightly ahead of the right. There is a Vaishnavite tilaka on his joyful, smiling face, indicating his status as the mount of Lord Vishnu. His fully outstretched wings extend to the two sides. For earrings, Garuda has two serpents, while another entwines itself in his left arm, raising its venomous hoods at the wrist.
Garuda has always been the sworn enemy of snakes and nagas. The archetypal legend of the enmity that exists between birds of prey and serpents occurs across a wide spectrum of transcultural mythologies. Such birds include the Sumerian and Greek eagle, the poison-transmuting peacock of Persia and India, the Chinese peng-niao, and the gigantic snake-eating simurgh or rukh of Sinbad's adventures in Arabian nights.
Literally, the word Garuda means 'wings of speech'. He actually personifies Vedic knowledge. On his wings,as it were, Vedic knowledge has come down to us. He is also known as Suparna (beautiful wings), Garutman (the solar bird), Sarparati (enemy of serpents), and Khageshvara or Pakshiraj (Lord of birds). The female bird is known as Garudi.
The sculptor of this fine representation of Garuda is Shri S. Dhatcinamoorthi of Kallakurichi (dist. Villupuram, Tamil Nadu).
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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