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MADE IN INDIA.

18" Wooden Kaliya Mardan Krishna

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$543.75

$725

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To the people of Vrindavan, the defeat of Kaaliya had seemed out of the question. He was dwelling in the rivers flowing through the settlement, rampantly spreading wickedness and adharma. Had it not been for Lord Krishna, Vrindavan would have lost its sacred beauty to the designs of the serpent.

The Krishna murti that you see on this page captures Vrindavan’s moment of triumph over Kaaliya. The foot of the victoriously dancing Krishna rests on its five hoods. Behind the dancing figure creep the thick coils of Kaaliya, with the end firmly in the grip of the divine.

There is a childlike essence in the mukhamandala va stance of Krishna, almost as if it is Gopala. From the serrations on Kaaliya’s coils to the currents of the poisoned river beneath its belly, these have been carved from wood with remarkable deftness.

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Specifications

	MIV617
	Wooden Statue
	Height: 18 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 1.48 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 35 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Divine Dance of Victory

This exquisite wooden statue captures a pivotal moment from the Puranic tales of Lord Krishna, the enchanting cowherd boy and divine avatar of Vishnu. Here, Krishna is depicted as Kaliya Mardan Krishna, triumphantly overcoming the formidable serpent Kaliya. The wood, rich with natural grain and a warm, inviting hue, has been meticulously carved to bring this sacred scene to life. Each detail, from the playful yet determined expression on Krishna's face to the coiled, multi-headed form of Kaliya, is rendered with exceptional artistry. The story of Kaliya's subjugation is a profound allegory within Hinduism. Kaliya, a powerful naga (serpent) with a thousand hoods, had poisoned the Yamuna River, rendering its waters toxic and driving away the local populace and wildlife. The villagers, especially the cattle, suffered immensely. The young Krishna, known for his divine strength and compassion, fearlessly entered the poisoned waters and danced upon Kaliya. This dance, a display of divine power and control, forced the serpent to submit. Krishna's victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, purity over corruption, and the eradication of negative forces. The multi-headed aspect of Kaliya represents the multifaceted nature of obstacles and negativity that can plague human lives. This statue beautifully encapsulates Krishna's divine playfulness and his unwavering resolve. Krishna's youthful form is adorned with traditional jewelry and a regal crown, suggesting his divine status even in his childhood pastimes. His stance, balanced atop the serpent's heads, is dynamic and commanding. The coiled body of Kaliya, forming a powerful spiral, creates a dramatic backdrop and emphasizes the magnitude of Krishna's achievement. The sheer craftsmanship evident in the carving of the serpent's scales and the delicate features of Krishna's face speaks to the skill of the artisan.

A Testament to Faith and Craftsmanship

More than just a decorative piece, this Kaliya Mardan Krishna statue serves as a powerful reminder of courage, righteousness, and divine intervention. It is a spiritual focal point, bringing a sense of peace and inspiration to any space it graces. The warm, natural finish of the wood enhances its aesthetic appeal, making it a stunning addition to a home altar, meditation room, or as a centerpiece in a living area. The intricate details, from the swirling patterns of the wood to the carefully sculpted forms, invite contemplation and reverence. This piece is a testament to the enduring power of devotional art and the timeless narratives that continue to shape cultural and spiritual landscapes. It is a treasure that connects the viewer to ancient wisdom and the vibrant traditions of India.

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.

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.

Wood tends to expand and contract even after it has been processed, thus it is always recommended to keep the wooden sculptures in rooms with little humidity. Excess moisture can harm your masterpiece.

Periodical dusting of the finished piece is necessary to maintain its beauty as dust accumulation on the surface takes away the shine of the sculpture. You can use a clean and soft cloth or a hairbrush for this purpose.

You must avoid applying any chemical-based solutions that may damage the wood from the inside. Instead, you can apply lemon oil or coconut oil using a cotton rag to the sculpture to bring out its natural shine. Lemon oil also helps to clean any stains on the sculpture.

Applying a layer of beeswax protects the wood from sun damage and hides even the smallest imperfections on the wood.

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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