An urli completes the Indianness of any traditional home. A simple means to uplift the aesthetics of one’s space, it comprises a wide-rimmed shallow-bottomed vessel. It is designed to be filled with freshwater and then strewn with the petals of freshly plucked flowers. As such, it not only makes for a lively, colourful sight but also fills the air around it with life-affirming fragrance.
The urli that you see on this page is a particular ornate number. It is fashioned from bronze, which as a medium belongs to the great sculptural tradition of the South. In fact this composition is a fine example of Hoysala style and architecture, an offshoot of the Chalukya aesthetic. It developed under the patronage of the Hoysala rulers and flourished in the 10th and 11th centuries. For example, the network of vine with a floral motif at the centre that graces the frontal edge of the urli. The slender peacocks flourishing their gorgeous tails on either side of the urli. The indispensable Lord Ganesha figurine nestling in the vines that rise from the rear section of the urli’s rim.
Zoom in on each section of this Ganesha urli to take in the perfect symmetry and attention to detail with which it has been executed. The vine sections are characterised by superfine engraving, while each aspect of the bodies of the peacocks has been finished with lifelike detail. Note the thick-set handles behind the elaborate frontal legs, which would make it easier for you to move it around and position it anywhere in your house or office.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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