One day Lord Krishna, when he was a little more than six years of age, wandered towards Kaliyadah, the section of Yamuna where Kaliya had its seat. With his flute in hand he climbed a tree beside Kaliyadah and before his mates could notice, he jumped into the river. It broke the deadly quietude of Kaliyadah, which infuriated Kaliya. It consequently attacked Lord Krishna and caught him in its massive coil. Hearing of the mishap Nanda, Yashoda and the entire village population rushed to the spot. Balarama, Krishna's elder brother, began boosting Krishna's morale. He began expanding his body rendering it impossible for Kaliya to hold him any more. After Kaliya lost its grip over Krishna's person, Lord Krishna jumped and positioned himself on Kaliya's head which consisted of five hoods. Krishna began on Kaliya's hoods his cosmic dance and with the beats of his legs subdued the serpent. Krishna would not let Kaliya go but only after its wife's prayers and Kaliya's own promise to never harm anyone and to retire back to Ramanaka Island. Lord Krishna did the serpent one more favour. He marked on its hoods the imprints of his feet and blessed it to be fearless for its only enemy Garuda, after it saw the imprints of its Master's feet on Kaliya's hoods, would not attack the serpent.
This bronze representation of the legend makes departure from this scriptural tradition. It seems to be a mix of Kaliya legend and Shaivite cult where serpents served Lord Shiva as garlands and sashes. The massive size of the creature and its horse-demon like mouth, though not consisting of five hoods as described in texts, correspond, however, with none else but Kaliya of the Krishna cult. Instead on the hoods of the serpent Lord Krishna stands on a lotus pedestal. The animal is holding Lord Krishna in its coils but only like a long sash lying around his shoulders and arms. Lord Krishna is not in a posture of dance. He is rather in his best known 'tri-bhanga mudra', that is, a posture with three curves. The serpent, as it appears from its demeanour, has been subdued but not by the beats of dancing legs but rather by the magic of his flute.
The statue is a fine piece of iconographic art. It is finely carved, has sharp and expressive features and is beautifully embellished. In many sculptures Lord Krishna is seen mounting Kaliya's hoods. Such statues, rising vertically, lose proportion and balance. This statue is far superior in figurative grace and proportions. It has wider scope for representing the mind of both, Lord Krishna and the demonous Kaliya. The peacock feather motif has been beautifully repeated on waist. Alike the figure of Kaliya has been used artistically for enhancing the sense of the width and overall proportion. .
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.
Of Related Interest:
Mother Goddess as Kali - The Feminine Force in Indian Art (Article)
Kali The Mother (Book)
Kali (Silver Pendant)
Kali in the Birth-Giving Posture (Miniature Painting on Paper)
Goddess Kali (Folk Painting from Orissa)
Kali the Terrible (Folk Painting from Bihar)
The Goddess Kali (Batik Painting On Cotton)
Shyama-Kali Yantra (Tantra Painting)
Jai Mata Di (Prayer Shawl)
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist