19" Ganesha-Lakshmi-Saraswati Urli (Hoysala Art) | Handmade | Made In South India

Traditionally, urulis – a cookware utensil from Kerala and South India – have been used for cooking and producing ayurvedic medicines. However, these days, smaller sized and elaborately decorated urulis are used for more aesthetic purposes, to float flowers and keep as household ornamentation. The uruli that we have here is a wonderful example of a utensil that serves that purpose, stylised with the powerful depiction of the triumvirate of Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Additionally, floriate designs adorn the rim and underside of the uruli, and also support the pedestals of the gods.

There are several legends that associate these three images together, but the underlying theme in all of them remain the same – Ganesha, as the ‘vignaharta’ is the remover of obstacles that come in the way of attaining knowledge and wealth. Saraswati and Lakshmi as depicted together, for to attain their attributing characteristics of education and prosperity, we cannot do with one without the other. Moreover, it is said that Lakshmi and Saraswati are emblematic of Ganesha’s two consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi respectively. The three celestial beings are presented in their usual iconography: the four-armed Ganesha beckoning the devout towards his goad, mace, while devouring the ‘modak;’ Lakshmi holding the two lotuses and blessing the devotee; and Saraswati playing the veena. Saraswati and Lakshmi are seated on a lotus pedestal.

This is a glorious example of how our ancient artistic sensibilities combined functional considerations of the utensil along with the religious considerations of piety, creating this wonderful piece.