36'' Superfine Dancing Goddess Saraswati | Lost-Wax | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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On a finely delineated upturned lotus, goddess Saraswati can be seen performing her enchanting dance. Her presence is entrancing- her Vaishanvite Kritamukuta (conical crown), rosary and Veda in her hands (attributes of Brahma) and her long and thick tresses as well as the activity she is indulged in- dancing (associated with Shiva), remind us of the status of Mahasaraswati- the great Saraswati, above the Tridevas. She is the personification of the creative potencies of all three of them, in the most mesmerizing female form.

Her physique represents the exquisiteness that lies in the creative principles of the universe and she is adorned in a deific manner. With the highest degree of artistic delicateness, the maker of this bronze has offered the goddess a charming Panchavali (five-stringed) necklace, paired with Makara earrings, fine armbands, and anklets. Her Kuchabandha or breast ornament has a distinctive floral pattern and is attached to two pairs of chains that hold the ornament in place. A rare element of this bronze is the open hair of the goddess, which is mostly seen in the representations of Durga and Kali. With her tresses flying freely, this idol presents Maa Saraswati as the source of unrestrained and limitless creativity, which can not be (just like her hair) tied down. The tranquility and stillness of the goddess’ countenance is a result of the aforementioned autonomy of artistic forces, which are the harbinger of godly auspiciousness.

A master craftsman’s touch is felt in the way Maa Sarasawati’s locks are shown layered on her back. It continues to manifest itself in the way the musculature of a dancing female body is highlighted – her rounded buttocks and legs that get symmetrically reduced in thickness- from her thighs to her calves, all the while getting a full sense of movement through these bodily features. Detailing of this bronze can be appreciated in the thinness of the Uttariya (upper body garment) that falls on her hand holding the Veda and goes to the one holding the Veena- the stringed instrument of the Devi.

The Veena is considered a symbol for the human body- Devi’s act of playing it to produce music thus symbolizes Her heartening the human form with divine melodies. Enriched by her tunes, we human beings move, create, and are struck by awe when seeing our own creations. Only a few lucky ones understand, that it is the goddess Saraswati, dancing, moving within each one of us, that inspires us to create wonders that are beyond our imagination. 

Sculpting Dreams in Metal: The Enigmatic Alchemy of Panchaloha Bronze Masterpieces

Bronze statues and sculptures are known for their exquisite beauty and the divinity that they emit all around the space. Bronze is considered an excellent metal alloy, composed primarily of copper and tin. Many properties make it suitable for sculpting even the most intricate and complex structures. There was a period in history, known as the “Bronze Age'', in which most sculptors preferred to work with Bronze as it was considered the hardest metal. Bronze is especially appreciated for its durability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance properties. India is especially known for its elegant workmanship of skills working with Bronze. The artisans of a town named Swamimalai in South India have been following a tradition of bronze murti making for ages. They use a special material known as Panchaloha bronze to make fascinating icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All of us are allured by the beauty of bronze statues and sculptures but there goes a tough hand in casting those masterpieces with little or no imperfections. Since it is an extremely elaborate process, a sculptor needs to be highly skilled in making bronze antiques. The most common technique for casting bronze sculptures that has been followed since ancient times is the “Lost-wax” process which involves many steps:

1. Clay model making

The making of a bronze statue or sculpture starts with preparing a full-sized clay (usually Plasticine) model of the sculpture. This allows the artist to have an idea about the overall shape and form of the desired sculpture before working with bronze, a much more expensive and difficult-to-work-with material.

2. Mould making

Once the clay model is ready, a mould of the original sculpture is made. This is done by carefully covering the clay model with plaster strips. This step is carried out in such a way that no air bubbles are formed. It takes up to 24 hours for the plaster to dry. Once dried, the plaster is then gently removed from the clay model. The removal happens easily because the inner mould is usually made of materials such as polyurethane rubber or silicone.

3. Wax filling and removal

In this step, molten bronze or wax is poured or filled into the mould in such a way that it gets even into the finest details. The mould is then turned upside down and left to cool and harden. When the wax has hardened, it is removed from the mould.

4. Chasing

Chasing is the process in which the artist refines the surface of the bronze statue using various tools to achieve fine details. This smoothens the surface and gives the statue a finished look. If some parts of the statue were moulded separately, they are now heated and attached.

5. Applying a patina

Bronze sculptures are known for their unique look or sheen on the surface. This may take several years to achieve naturally. Applying patina to bronze sculptures is an important step to make them appear attractive. Working with clay, plaster mould, and molten wax can be messy and therefore sculptors wear old clothes and remain careful. The entire process of making a bronze statue takes several months to complete. Bronze sculptures last for many centuries because of the high durability of the material. Many centuries down the line, these sculptures continue to be appreciated for their majestic beauty.