The beauty of the panchaloha medium is brought out with great finesse in this dancing Shiva figure.
From the warm, earthy monotone of the composition to the sheer proportion of detail introduced in each aspect, this unique medium is a mix of five (‘pancha’) iron- or loha-based alloys.
Made by the dexterous hands of artisans for whom sculpture is legacy, this Nataraja murti would be a high-value addition to the art decor of any devotee.
The king (‘nata’) of dance (‘nata’) and all performing arts dances on the back of Apasmara, the avidya-roopi (ignorance-personified) creature. The name given to His divinely powerful, all-annihilating dance is tandava; and the stance of Nataraja, caught amidst tandava, is a statement in fearlessness (‘abhaya’) and expression. Such an image strikes fear into the heart of the adharmee with the same fervour that it inspires the truly devoted.
Made in the madhuchista vidhana (now known as lost-wax technique) of the Agamas, the composition is replete with a great deal of detail. The adornments of Nataraja and the sashes flying about His rapidly motioning body; the layered circlet of flames that serves as prabhavali (aureole); and the finesse of His handsomely-featured face as well as the slender, distinguished digits of His hands and feet.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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