Indian bronze statues and bronze works are representative of the richness of the cultural tradition of the civilization since the time of the emergence of the first villages on the banks of Indus and then the pious river Ganga. Through the course of time, separate regions came up with their distinctive methods of bronze making, which they employed in reproducing the religious beliefs prevalent across the country. Among the different bronze-making practices of the ethnically diverse nation, Tikamgarh’s Dhokra bronze works due to the rawness displayed in the making of the statues and the familiarity of themes they represent, are appreciated by the admirers of art and culture.
Here we have a highly expressive Tikamgarh bronze icon of Mahishasur Mardini- goddess Durga as the slayer of the buffalo demon. The story of the great goddess’ emergence and her battle with the evil forces of Mahishasur to salvage the gods is a well-known theme in Hinduism. This Dhokra art goddess Durga icon shows the Devi as an eight-armed warrior female- vigor dripping from her battle-ready demeanor and her Alidha posture, a characteristically valiant posture. In comparison to the bronzes of South India that display elegance in the way the gods and goddesses hold their weapons, this icon of Mahishasur Mardini shows her fingers wrapped tightly around her arms, the attribute of a true warrior who treats her weaponry as an extension of herself, always attached to herself. The headless figure of the buffalo, the playfulness with which Devi’s lion crouches near it, and the slain human form of Mahishasur under the imposing image of Maa Durga bring divine energy to this bronze icon. Devi stands on a relatively simpler oval-shaped platform that brings the various elements of the bronze sculpture together beautifully.
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