The Lotus Goddess of the Cosmic Sea

$300
FREE Delivery
This item can be backordered
Time required to recreate this artwork
6 to 8 weeks
Advance to be paid now
$60 (20%)
Balance to be paid once product is ready
$240
Item Code: PC74
Specifications:
Orissa's Paata PaintingTussar Silk
Dimensions 12.7" x 18.5"
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade
Lakshmi the goddess of earthly abundance sits cross-legged on a full-blooming pink lotus which shoots up on an extended green stalk, sprouting from the depths of the cosmic sea. The shooting lotus is a symbol of life and growth. This is further emphasized by a number of blossoms around her which are in various stages of growth. Though Lakshmi is the Indian archaic mother of life, she is almost always shown as a lovely and young woman.

The four-armed deity's ample form signifies her capacity to nourish and sustain. Though devoid of any overtly sexual characteristics the artist nevertheless has embellished her with some graceful feminine attributes expressed in her essentially curvaceous form, highlighted for example through her flowing robes and the slight contours marking the curves and folds of her stomach. The rich vegetative motives framing her in the background express her fertilizing nature.

Rising from the depths of water and expanding its petals on the surface, the lotus (kamala) is the most beautiful evidence offered to the eye of the self-engendering fertility of the bottom. Through its appurtenance, it gives proof of the life-supporting power of the all-nourishing cosmic waters, the infinite ocean out which all elements of the universe arise, and back into which they must again dissolve.

Of Related Interest:

Lakshmi the Bestower of Riches (Batik Painting on Cotton)

Sri Maha Lakshmi Yantra (Brass Etching)

Lakshmi in Sari (Brass Statue)

Goddess Lakshmi (South Indian Temple Wood Carving)

Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth (Silver Necklace)

I Bow to The Great Goddess Lakshmi (Granter of Wealth and Prosperity) (Prayer Shawl)

Invocation to Lakshmi (Hardcover Book)

Lakshmi and Saraswati - Tales in Mythology and Art (Article)


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Mastering the Ancient Technique: Exploring the Meticulous Creation of Pattachitra Paintings

The traditional Pattachitra is a scroll painting that is done on cloth. This is revealed in the name; Pattachitra is a Sanskrit term made from two words i.e. Patta meaning cloth and Chitra meaning picture. The main subject of this painting is portraying Hindu mythological narratives, scenes from religious texts, and folktales. Pattachitra paintings are especially practiced in eastern Indian states such as West Bengal and Odisha, and also in some parts of Bangladesh. This art form is closely related to Shri Jagannath and the tradition of the Vaishnava sect. It is believed that Pattachitra art originated in the 11th century and the people of Odisha practice it even today without any discrepancy. Bengalis use these scroll paintings for ritual purposes (as a visual device) during the performance of a song or Aarti.
Pattachitra paintings are characterized by creative and traditional motifs/designs, decorative borders, and bright colorful applications. The outline of the figure and motifs are bold and sharp. Some common shapes and motifs seen in these paintings are trees, flowers, leaves, elephants, and other creatures. The artists of Odisha and Bengal still use the traditional method of painting which gives a unique look to it altogether.

1. Canvas is prepared

The process of painting a Pattachitra begins by preparing the canvas (patta). Generally, cotton cloth is used for making the canvas. The local artists dip the cotton cloth in a mixture of tamarind seeds and water for a few days. The cloth is then taken out and dried in the sun. Now natural gum is applied over it to stick another layer of cotton cloth on it. Thus a thick layer of cotton cloth is formed. This layered cotton is sun-dried and a paste of chalk powder, tamarind, and gum is applied on both sides. The surface of the cloth is then rubbed with two different stones for smoothening and it is again dried. This process gives the cloth a leathery finish and it is now ready to be painted.
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2. Natural colors are made using traditional method

The painters prepare and use vegetable and mineral colors for application in the painting. White color is made from conch shells, black is made by burning coconut shells, Hingula is used for red color, Ramaraja for blue, and Haritala for yellow.
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3. Colors are filled in

The artist now makes a double-lined border on all four sides of the canvas. The local artists are so expert in painting that they do not draw figures and motifs with pencil but directly draw them with a brush. The paint brushes that the painters use are made of the hair of domestic animals, a bunch of which is tied to the end of a bamboo stick. The figures are now painted with natural colors using the indigenous brushes. The outline is thickened with black color.
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4. Painting is given a finishing

Finally, the painting is varnished/glazed to protect it from any damage and to get a glossy shine on the surface.

The making of a Pattachitra is laborious work and therefore, one painting may sometimes take over a month to complete. Due to their classical look, these paintings are admired by people from all over the world. The artistic skills used in Pattachitra are passed down from one generation to another and thus are preserved to date.
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