Question

Explain How is bronze sculpture of South India has precious place in India

Answer 1

Bronze sculpture of South India :-

South Indian bronze sculpture has a special place in the history of Indian art. In bronze, as in stone, the 9th and 10th centuries were periods of high achievement, and many images of excellent quality have survived. Most South Indian bronze images are representations of Hindu divinities, notably Vishnu and Shiva.

They are all cast by the lost-wax, or cire perdu, process (in which a wax model is used). In the early stages, the forms were smooth and flowing, with a fine balance maintained between the body and the complex jewellery, the lines of which follow and reinforce every movement of the plastic surface. The bronzes of the later period lose this cohesiveness, the ornament, by virtue of its hardness, tending to divide and fragment the body it covers.

Chola period is famous for its bronze sculptures. The celebrated lost wax bronzes of the Chola dynasty (c. 850–1250) from south India include the iconic form of Shiva as Nataraja (a four-armed Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja), shown within a flaming halo).

Nataraja Bronze Sculpture – Features :-

• Natarajan a depiction of the Hindu God Shiva as the cosmic dancer. He performs the divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for the god Brahma to start the process of creation.

• It is widely believed that Nataraja bronze sculptures were Chola innovation.

• The image of “the Lord as the Cosmic Dancer” is shown at the Chidambaram temple in Tamilnadu.

• He dances within an arch of flames.

• The surrounding flames represent the manifest Universe.

• There is a snake around his waist

• The figure has 4 hands

• The upper left hand contains Agni or fire, which signifies destruction.

• The second left-hand points towards the raised foot which signifies upliftment and liberation.

• Upper right hand contain Damaru.

• The second right-hand shows the Abhaya mudra.

• dwarf on which Nataraja dances is the demon Apasmara.

• As the Nataraja performs the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and dissolved.