She is the enchantress of Devas (gods), celestial beings, sages, and poets. She is the ornament of the Devalaya- home of the gods, she is the Devanganga- celestial maiden, whose beauty originated from Sri Vishnu himself. The Apsara, dancing in ecstasy and immersing the viewer in the ecstasy of her magnificence in the Panchaloha medium, is an essential feature of ancient Hindu and other sectarian shrines. The beauteous maiden was among the many great gifts to the deity who resided in the temple. Her loveliness and physical charm are an offering from the sculptor, who presented to the Lord with all his heart and devotion, all that was pleasing and awe-inspiring in the world, condensed and materialized as the divine beauty.
The Devangana dances atop a platform she shares with two other female figures, who are much smaller in size when compared to her, signaling that their status is secondary to hers. And who could rival such beauty? Her tresses long and curly are set in a gorgeous bun, held together by a jeweled tiara and hair accessories. Her face is a pleasing sight to behold- eyebrows arched like the bow of warriors, whose hearts she pierced with her almond eyes' sharp gazes. Her perfect nose sits over lips that are no less than the petals of a freshly blossomed lotus. Her breasts are rounded, her waist curving, and her hips wide- she is the zenith of feminine beauty. With a form so dazzling, the celestial maiden needs no ornaments, but for the sake of convention, the sculptor of this brass icon has offered her some of the best pieces of jewelry you will ever see. Especially noteworthy is her heavy bejeweled girdle that forms a skirt around her bare lower body and the chain attached to her necklace that runs from the middle of her torso to her back, in a gorgeous bend. Thanks to the artistic precision, her legs- raised and steady, appear dynamic and life-like. Her arm- one raised in the air, while the other touching the sole of her foot are delicately designed, with each finger immaculately delineated.
How her hands are presented reminds us of the yoginis and celestial nymphs playing Veena-stringed instruments. Though there is no instrument present in this brass sculpture, with her beauty and vibrant aura, the divine maiden undoubtedly tugs at more than a few strings of our hearts, filling us with sweet melodies dedicated to the great divine, who enables the sculptor to envision such marvellousness, and us to witness it.
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