"Vinyasa Kanya" or the Well-Groomed Lady, Holding Umbrella

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Following this belief, the ancient Indian temple compounds were replete with the images of youthful women, known collectively as “Alasya Kanya”- women in leisurely moods. The numbers of Alasya Kanya are 16 or 32 or even more, but the essence of these stunning female icons is one- the artistic exaltation of fertility and auspiciousness possessed by women. In this large wooden lady with an umbrella, the Alasya Kanya that we see is “Vinyasa Kanya” or “the well-groomed lady”, adorned with all the Lakshana (attributes) and Aabhushana (ornaments) that make her the epitome of beauty and feminine refinement.

The wooden statue of Vinyasa Kanya stands on a rectangular platform marked by incised lines that represent the petals of a lotus. A splendid aureole made from flowing vines that houses chirpy birds and lively animals forms the aura of the groomed lady. Flowering vines in Hindu tradition symbolize the origination of life, fertility, and abundance in life, and are used from ancient times by artists to highlight these virtues in their art. The skill of the woodworker has to be appreciated for giving the creepers a supple and blooming effect in the solid medium of wood. The parrot or Shuka pairs that surround the Vinyasa Kanya are symbols of love, passion, and liveliness in Hindu culture, whose vibrant presence in the wooden idol give it a beautiful appearance. On the right side of the elite lady are a parrot and a monkey, playing childishly with each other. Infused with the exquisiteness of nature’s scenic beauty, the aura of this wooden lady with an umbrella is artistically rich in motifs and meanings.

The youthful physique of the lady is ornamented with minutely carved aabhushana that sit close to her limbs, highlighting the heavenly allure of her form. Her hair is tied in an elaborate bun, with curls beautifying her forehead. In her left hand, the woman holds a chatari- an ancient symbol of royalty, carried only by the elite members of the society. With her right hand, the Vinyasa Kanya arranges the tassel of her ornament, while her face carries a sublime expression. Near her feet are two miniature female figures- one holding a lotus in her hand and the other striking a dancing posture. They are the attendants of the lady, who accompany her, entertaining and pleasing her senses as the well-groomed beauty moves around.

Sculpting Serenity: Unveiling the Art of Crafting Wood Statues

Wood has been a preferred material for sculptures and statues since ancient times. It is easy to work with than most metals and stones and therefore requires less effort to shape it into any desired shape or form. The texture of the wood gives an element of realism to the sculpture. The selection of an appropriate wood type is necessary for carving. Woods that are too resinous or coniferous are not considered good for carving as their fiber is very soft and thus lacks strength. On the other hand, wood such as Mahogany, Oakwood, Walnut wood, Weet cherry wood, etc., are preferred by sculptors because their fiber is harder. A wood sculptor uses various tools such as a pointed chisel in one hand and a mallet in another to bring the wood to the desired measurement and to make intricate details on it. A carving knife is used to cut and smooth the wood. Other tools such as the gouge, V-tool, and coping saw also serve as important tools in wood carving. Although the wood carving technique is not as complex and tough as stone carving or metal sculpting, nonetheless, a wood carver requires a high level of skills and expertise to create a stunning sculpture.

1. Selecting the right wood

The process of wood carving begins with selecting a chunk of wood that is required according to the type and shape of the statue to be created by the sculptor. Both hardwoods and softwoods are used for making artistic pieces, however, hardwoods are preferred more than softer woods because of their durability and longevity. But if heavy detailing is to be done on the statue, wood with fine grain would be needed as it would be difficult to work with hardwood.

2. Shaping the wood

Once the wood type is selected, the wood carver begins the general shaping process using gouges of various sizes. A gouge is a tool having a curved cutting edge which is useful in removing large unwanted portions of wood easily without splitting the wood. The sculptor always carves the wood across the grain of the wood and not against it.

3. Adding detailing

When a refined shape of the statue is obtained, it is time for making details on the statue using different tools. This is achieved by using tools such as a veiner to make and a V-tool to create decorative and sharp cuts.

4. Surface finishing

Once finer details have been added, the sculptor is ready to smoothen the surface and give it a perfect finish. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are used to get a smooth surface. The finer polishing is obtained by rubbing the surface with sandpaper. If a textured surface is required, this step is skipped. Finally, to protect the statue from excessive dirt accumulation, the sculptor applies natural oils such as walnut or linseed oil all over it. This also brings a natural sheen to the statue.