Impressively generous in scale and mood, this picture is a visual delight of vibrant blues, reds and yellows. The technique of batik has been used to its best. Besides bright color, the artist has extensively used gold for outlining, which has enliven the picture of
lord Shiva.
Shiva is represented in art as an ascetic clad in tiger skin. Unlike Brahma and Vishnu, the other two of the Holy Trinity, Shiva has no celestial palace to dwell in. he retires to Mount Kailash to practice austerities- a homeless wanderer. Contrary to common iconographic representations, he is shown with two pairs of arms. Two arms emerging from behind hold a rattle-drum in one hand and a mendicants bowl in the other. One front hand makes the gesture of blessing and the other carries the trident. The trident is the symbol of his power, the drum is the symbol of rhythm and sound. Rhythm is the invisible component of the universe and the sound is the conveyer of the word, which carries revelation and the truth divine. Nothing about Shiva is without deep meaning. His matted hair symbolizes power and the crescent moon a symbol of birth and growth. The flow of yogic power springs like a fountain from the top of his head. Some say it is the sacred river Ganga falling upon his head. Bhagirathi prayed for Ganga to fall upon the earth. Force would have called unheard destruction. Shiva interposed his own head between the sky and the earth to lessen the impact.
Shiva is universally recognized by the third eye on forehead. Once, Parvati in the spirit of play covered Shiva's eyes with her hand. The moment she did this, the whole world was plunged in darkness. Shiva's eyes contained the power of the sun. So, Shiva opened his third eye and through it released his energies. Hence, Trilochan Mahadev, the three eyed god of the cosmos.
This description by Renu Rana.
Pinturas
veces desde el 15th Mar, 2011
