"Nritya-rat Saraswati"- Wooden Goddess Saraswati Immersed in Dance

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Devi Saraswati, the Shakti (feminine energy) who emerged from the mind of Lord Brahma embodies the dynamic powers of the creator god which give an impressive form to the world around us and gives us the wisdom to relish in its beauty and the creativity to get inspired. This teakwood goddess Saraswati statue presents the Devi in the state of a divine dance- Nritya-rata (immersed or rata in dance or Nritya), which is seen as the purest and most vigorous manner in which goddess Saraswati moves.

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Item Code: MIT525
Specifications:
Teakwood
Height: 28 inch
Width: 16 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight: 8 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade

Devi Saraswati stands atop a magnificently carved lotus flower in an immensely graceful posture with her right leg slightly bent giving her lissome body an elegant appearance. Over her luxurious hair, that flow like a meandering river on the reverse of the lacquered wooden Saraswati statue, an elongated crown with distinctive motifs is placed. Goddess’s ornamentation includes richly carved necklaces, armbands, bracelets, anklets, and an elaborate girdle with the Kirtimukha (face of glory) as his centerpiece. A small vesara (nose ring), floral patterned breastplates, and an extravagant waist ornament worn over the lavish dhoti (lower body garment) speak for the minute details of Devi’s beautification on which the skilled artisan has focused amply.


The wooden goddess Saraswati statue is four-armed (chaturbhuja) and carries a rosary, Veda, and Veena (lute) in her hands. The lute of Devi Saraswati is often equated with the human body interacting with which, the patron goddess of wisdom and arts produces the most beguiling tunes, which are to be heard by the fortunate individuals who receive the grace of Veena Vaadini (one who plays the Veena). To capture the effect of Maa Saraswati’s Veena on the Srishti (creation), the craftsman has added bustling vegetation to the wood statue- a symbol of the origin of new life and auspiciousness in Hindu culture. Flowing vines spurting from the goddess Saraswati's wooden statue- from her crown and as tassels of her waist cloth bring a visual grandeur to the Devi icon.


Maa Saraswati’s heavenly visage, with perfected etchings and carvings, appears stunningly animated. Peacock or Mayura, the bird that stands for beauty, grace, and the art of a majestic dance and is also the devourer of serpents who represent time (Kaala), are gracing the lotus throne of Devi Saraswati. The message of this heavenly wooden Saraswati icon is as beautiful as the goddess herself- the poisons that live within us and the fear of time can only be transcended by pure wisdom (Gyana) and art (Kala), the refuge of which is in the lotus feet of the great Maa Saraswati.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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