Lord Ganesha is revered not only as a presiding deity of all branches of vidya, but also as that of performing arts. He is worshipped for his wisdom, understanding and discriminating intellect that allows devotees to be free of obstacles and to be happy. It is not surprising to see Ganesha in his flamboyant Tandava dance form, as he inherited this powerful form from his father Lord Shiva, who is a comic dancer himself. This Tandava gesture by Ganesha highlights his love and respect for his parents and their identities. This statue is sculpted from a finely textured wooden material and fashioned in a sober and decent South Indian style carving.
Ganesha dances here on an alluringly formed double lotus pedestal accompanied with two mice on either side, standing in obeisance to their Lord. His anterior hands are postured in an exact Nataraja mudra like that of Shiva and the rear hands hold a noose and pasa respectively. Focus on the way he is adorned charmingly in lustrous jewels, a short dhoti and a stylized kamarband that is half hid beneath his protruding belly. The long trunk is carved in a distinctive manner with enormous striations till the end, beautifying his elephant face.
The flower haloed crown that glorifies his head is moulded in a mesmerizing manner with various layers descending upwards to form a round top and a flower broch is highlighted in the centre at the front. The two snakes- one sliding from his right arm and the other tied around the waist, are an identification mark of his patronage. The sculptor has used a milky brown tone of wood which clearly highlights the expressions of his intense eyes and the slightest curvatures of his body in a beautiful way.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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