Dancing Ganesh

Height- 34 inches Width- 18 inches Depth- 10.5 inches Weight- 28.5 kg Materials- Chola Lost Wax Process Process

Vinadhara Siva

This particular form Siva is known as Vinadhara or “Veena Player”, the Lord of Music.  A title he borrows from Saraswati.  The pose is called is called “Veena Player” because Shiva’s two front hands are in the position they would be if he was playing a veena.  The veena is missing as it is in all Vinadhara sculptures.  In Shiva’s other two hands he holds an axe as well as a deer.  The deer shows how all animals see Shiva as their lord and revere him. The god is standing in elegant Tribhanga pose on a round lotus base in a frontal pose with all his well-built limbs correctly proportioned.  The sculptures elegance is displayed in the play of curves and angles that harmonize into a serene stature one can gaze at with reverence.  The simple loin cloth is suggestive of a piece of elephant hide.  With the minimalist loin cloth, ornamented belts and elaborate crown the sculpture manages to appear lavishly dressed.  The feet have each a course of 3 loose padasaras.  The toes have rings on the big and little toes, there is a footrest under the right foot not to be mistaken for a sandal.  The left leg in in Kunchita(slightly bent) and is held in position by a squatting singing ghana.  The ghanas left hand receives the toe of assurance of the god while his right hand is in singing gesticulation in gratitude of such assurance. Siva is considered to be the creator and Master of Yoga, Music and Dancing. He is very popular in the south by the name Dakshinamurti.  This statue is sometimes referred to as the Lord of Music form of Siva as Dakshinamurti. Not to be confused with the seated Dakshinamurti who is shown under a banyan tree enlightening attending rishis with one foot on mythical Apasmara crushing the ego of man.