CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Ganga

Subject: Pillar capital in the form of quadrupate figure found from Vrindavan (Mathura)

Subject: Balarama, standing, found from Ganesra tank

Subject: South-east shrine

Subject: Niches on south wall, first pavilion

Subject: Niches on north wall, first pavilion

Subject: Female, torso

Subject: Worship of Bodhi-tree

Subject: Vedibandha (basal wall-mouldings) at the junction of Gudhamandapa (closed hall) and Mulaprasada (shrine proper)

Subject: Lady plucking flower on rail post found from Maholi (Mathura). Such figures are variously known as pushpaprachayika or Asoka Prachayika

Subject: Bowl with grape vine and asoka leaf rhizome, found from Palikhera (Mathura).

Subject: Yaksi on a rail-post, found from Vrindaban (Mathura)

Subject: Female, torso wearing bodice

Subject: Dance scene

Subject: Buddha or Jina? (ref:Vogel, CAMM, p76) head

Subject: Pranala found from Besawan

Subject: Kinnari

Subject: Somaskanda (Skanda missing), back: This sculpture represents Shiva seated with his consort Uma (Parvati) and their child Skanda (now missing) in the center. Image of the holy family Shiva with Parvati and the child Skanda symbolizes universal parentage. The couple are extolled as the father and mother of the world jagatah pitrau by Kalidasa who has left an immortal epic on birth of Kumara, Kumarasambhava. The Saiva Siddhanta system as developed in the Tamil land lays great emphasis on the concept of Ammai and Appan (i.e., Mother and Father) for Shiva and Parvati. Large number of So maskanda images exist, in apart because a range of Agamic texts specify that if a temple does not possess the exact image required for a specific ritual procession, So maskanda bronze can be used as a substitute.

Subject: Nataraja: A detail of the Shiva Nataraja performing the Tandava. The energy of dance reflects in the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. The figure of Ganga who was brought gently from the heavens down to earth is in one of the strands of his hair.

Subject: Nataraja, back: The Shiva Nataraja combines Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe in a single image and conveys the notion of never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, most famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarf like figure being trampled by his right foot represents Apasmara Purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). The dance that Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the energy of which reflects in the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. The figure of Ganga who was brought gently from the heavens down to earth is in one of the strands of his hair.

Subject: Nataraja: The Shiva Nataraja combines Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe in a single image and conveys the notion of never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, most famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarf like figure being trampled by his right foot represents Apasmara Purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). The dance that Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the energy of which reflects in the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. The figure of Ganga who was brought gently from the heavens down to earth is in one of the strands of his hair.

Subject: Subrahmanya, detail: Skanda as Subrahmanya is the South Indian god of war.

Subject: Nataraja: The Shiva Nataraja combines Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe in a single image and conveys the notion of never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, most famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva is shown dancing within a flaming halo (prabha mandala) which represents Time and which is shown as a circle to symbolize it cyclic nature. Shiva holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarf like figure being trampled by his right foot represents Apasmara Purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). The dance that Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the energy of which reflects in the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. The figure of Ganga who was brought gently from the heavens down to earth is in one of the strands of his hair.

Subject: Nataraja, back: The Shiva Nataraja combines Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe in a single image and conveys the notion of never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, most famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva is shown dancing within a flaming halo (prabha mandala) which represents Time and which is shown as a circle to symbolize it cyclic nature. Shiva holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarf like figure being trampled by his right foot represents Apasmara Purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). The dance that Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the energy of which reflects in the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. The figure of Ganga who was brought gently from the heavens down to earth is in one of the strands of his hair.