Krishna's Victory Dance on Kaliya
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Krishna's Victory Dance on Kaliya

$891
$1188
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
EP18
South Indian Temple Wood Carving
Height: 37 inch
Width: 14.5 inch
Depth: 3.5 inch
Weight 9.20 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 40 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Divine Dance of Victory

This exquisite wooden carving captures a pivotal moment in Hindu mythology: Lord Krishna's triumph over the serpent Kaliya. Crafted with meticulous detail in the South Indian temple wood carving tradition, this piece embodies centuries of artistic heritage and spiritual devotion. The dark, rich wood lends a timeless aura to the sculpture, highlighting the dynamic pose of Krishna and the intricate surrounding elements. The scene depicted is from the Bhagavata Purana, where the venomous Kaliya, who had poisoned the waters of the Yamuna River, terrorized the inhabitants of Vrindavan. Krishna, as a mere child, fearlessly subdued the serpent. In a display of divine power and graceful control, Krishna danced upon Kaliya's many heads, forcing the serpent to retreat and restore peace to the land. This act is not just a display of strength, but also a profound metaphor for overcoming ego, negativity, and destructive forces within oneself and the world.

Masterful Craftsmanship and Symbolism

The artisan's skill is evident in every curve and contour. Krishna is depicted in a lively dance pose, his limbs conveying movement and energy. His serene yet victorious expression speaks to his divine nature. He wears ornate jewelry and a characteristic crown, all rendered with remarkable precision. The surrounding elements of the carving are equally captivating, featuring natural motifs like foliage and even playful depictions of monkeys and other creatures, suggesting the flourishing life that Krishna's victory restored. The intricately carved base provides a stable foundation, further adorned with traditional decorative patterns that enhance the overall aesthetic. This carving is more than just a decorative item; it is a conduit to the divine narrative. The tradition of South Indian temple wood carving is deeply intertwined with the spiritual life of the region. These carvings often adorned temple chariots, palanquins, and the interiors of sacred spaces, serving as visual representations of epics and deities, bringing the divine stories to life for devotees. Owning such a piece is like bringing a piece of sacred history and spiritual resonance into your home.

A Timeless Work of Art

The sheer scale and detail of this carving suggest it was a labor of love and dedication. The wood, likely a dense and durable variety native to South India, has been shaped over time into a three-dimensional narrative. The openwork style allows light to play through the sculpture, creating captivating shadows and highlighting the depth of the carving. This piece is a testament to the enduring power of mythological stories and the skill of traditional artisans. It serves as a powerful reminder of the triumph of good over evil, and the grace that can be found in overcoming challenges, making it a truly inspiring addition to any space.

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.
Image

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.
Image

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.
Image

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.
Image

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. 

Add a review
Have A Question
By continuing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy