20" Karttikeya (Murugan) | Brass Statue | Handmade

The tall and handsome Lord Karttikeya stands on an engraved plinth. He is chaturbhujadhari, the one possessed of (‘dhari’) four (‘chatur’) arms (‘bhuja’). But for the right anterior hand that is raised in blessing, all His hands bear weapons for the timeless battle against adharma. Known as Murugan in South India, He is the son of Shiva-Parvati and brother of Ganesha.

This Karttikeya murti is made from pure brass. It is a bitone sculpture: the complexion of the Lord’s body is a deep black colour, while His attire and adornments are in metallic gold (characteristic of the medium). The dhoti wound closely around long legs. Handsomely sculpted face, framed by a tall crown and thick golden curls cascading down the neck. The one-of-a-kind halo behind that head, which resembles the natural coils of a dense, wild vine.

The presence of Shiva, His father, is marked by the tilaka on His brow and the snake raising its hood at His feet. Behind the snake stands Karttikeya’s vahana, the peacock, with a sprig of vine in its beak. Finally, a stylised plinth completes the composition.