Ram Chandra- Sri Ram, “whose face resembles the beauty of the moon” is one of the 10 avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, the preserver god in Hinduism. With all the Lakshanas (attributes) of divine prominence imbibed in his persona, Ram is the greatest of all men- “Purushottama”.
The story of Sri Ram is preserved in the Indian written tradition as the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana, Avadhi Ram Charita Manas, Tamil Iramavataram, Buddhist Dashratha Jataka, and Jain Paumchariyu. Besides these, in each town or village that you visit, you will find a different version of the story of Ram. One common point where all these varied versions meet is their love and devotion for the hero of the epic- Sri Ram, the supreme Kshatriya (warrior), beloved of Sita, and the slayer of the demon-king Ravana.
The maker of this excellent woodwork has mindfully chosen Kadamba wood, the tree which is considered the dwelling place of Sri Krishna, (another incarnation of Vishnu, closely associated with Ram) as the material for the idol. Bhagwan Ram stands contrapposto (most of his body weight shifted on one leg), a posture that accentuates the grace of his physique. His face is glorious in its gentleness- a feature that fills the onlooker's heart with devotion and blissful calmness. The torso of Lord Ram is adorned with kingly ornamentation- jeweled shoulder pads, necklaces, belly bands, and yagyopavita (sacred thread). The pleats of his dhoti (lower body garment) are neatly carved and there is a sense of layering near his ankle where the upper folding appears to overlap the folds underneath it. The garment is secured with kayabandh (waistcloth) which forms tassels on both sides and waistband with a contemporary form of the Kirti Mukha (face of glory) as the centerpiece.
Ram is often described as Dhanurdhari (wielder of the bow) in Ramayana. The wood murti shows him carrying his bow Sharanga and an arrow with a crescent arrowhead. The great ruler of Ayodhya or Awadh- Awadhpati Sri Ram stands on a beautiful wood platform shaped like the inverted lotus, picturesque and beyond words.
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.
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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