Ardhanareshwar - Half Man, Half Woman

$65
Item Code: DB53
Specifications:
Madhubani Painting on Hand Made Paper
Dimensions 7" x 21"
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade
In this painting the god Shiva and his consort Parvati are united in a single image known as Ardhanareshwara, the physical representation of the Indian concept of the nonduality of the divine principle or supreme being. Shiva occupies the dominant right side, and Parvati, the subsidiary left. The deities are distinguished by subtle physical differences, coiffure, clothing and ornaments. His dhoti is short, and her garment is approximately ankle length; each is tied differently. Shiva's hair is a matted pile (jata) that holds his distinctive crescent moon; Parvati's locks are elegantly arranged.

Ardhanareshwara is the supreme deity who unites the dualistic forces of the universe, the undifferentiated whole who both precedes and governs the cosmos. Even so, the Sanskrit poets have playfully developed the theme of frustrated love for this form of Shiva combined with his consort. The poet Bhagiratha writes:

I'll grant you the golden goddess:
He has the joy
Of embracing you forever
Without pause, since he carries your supple body
Mixed into his.
Still, inside of him
That three-eyed god
Is ever burning with sorrow,
For he will never see the gentle
Light,
Alive with loving,
in your eyes.

The following splendid verse, attributed to Mandana, in which Ganesha, the elder son of Shiva and Parvati, answers his younger brother's queries, is also of interest in understanding the concept of Ardhanareshwara.

"When father and mother became a single body,
what happened, elder brother, to the other halves of each?'
Victory to Ganesa, who explains to the younger prince,
"The one on earth was born as everyman,
the other everywoman."

This description by Nitin Kumar, Executive Editor, Exotic India.

Colors of Tradition: Exploring the Artistry Behind Madhubani Paintings

Madhubani painting is also known as Mithila art as it is practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It has specifically originated from the Madhubani district of the state of Bihar. Traditionally, the women of this region created these paintings and in recent years, it has become a widely practiced art and has now become renowned throughout the world. This art expresses the creativity and culture of the people of Mithila and is passed from one generation to another. In this way, the heritage of Madhubani art has been preserved for many decades. The subjects of these paintings are usually religion, love, and fertility. Sometimes, social events like festivals, weddings, and royal court are also depicted in the paintings. The most commonly painted designs and themes are the forms of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Krishna, and Ram. The characteristic features of Madhubani paintings are their vibrant colors and eye-catching geometrical patterns. The empty spaces are filled with traditional motifs such as floral and foliate patterns, animals, birds, geometrical structures, and other designs. The local artists create these paintings using a variety of items such as matchsticks, twigs, brushes, pens, or even their own fingers. The paints are usually made with natural dyes and pigments.
As simple as it may seem, the making process of the world-famous Madhubani paintings is certainly not easy and requires lots of hard labor.
Traditional Madhubani paintings are done either on cloth, handmade paper, or canvas. Select the medium of painting as per your choice. If you have chosen cloth, attach it to cardboard to make a solid base. The making of the painting begins with making a double-lined border. This is a very important step because the border is filled with various geographical shapes and patterns or other motifs. The average width of the border is 1.5 - 2 cm. Now that the border is created, you will be left with a blank middle space. This is the main workspace. Start drawing your choice of figure, designs, and shapes. These must be relevant to the Madhubani painting themes.
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When the key design has been made, the empty spaces in between are filled with some designs.
Now is the time to color the painting using vivid shades and hues. Colors in Madhubani are sourced from nature; Indigo is used to produce blue, flower juice produces red, turmeric gives yellow, leaves produce green, cow dung mixed soot gives black, and rice powder gives white.
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To paint these colors, the artist uses a bamboo stick and wraps cotton around it. This acts as a traditional brush.
The entire painting is now painted using this special brush with natural vibrant colors. · However, in modern times, the common brush is used and instead of natural colors, artists prefer to use acrylic paints.
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Since the entire painting is made with natural materials and colors, it appears simple yet enriching. Originally, this art was created on mud walls or soil grounds but when it evolved over many years, the people of Madhubani started to make it on fabric and paper. Today, this art has become globalized and is receiving worldwide attention and appreciation.
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