An urli completes the Indianness of any traditional home. A simple means to uplift the aesthetics of one’s space, it comprises a wide-rimmed shallow-bottomed vessel. It is designed to be filled with freshwater and then strewn with the petals of freshly plucked flowers. As such, it not only makes for a lively, colourful sight but also fills the air around it with life-affirming fragrance.
The urli that you see on this page is a particular ornate number. It is fashioned from bronze, which as a medium belongs to the great sculptural tradition of the South. In fact this composition is a fine example of Hoysala style and architecture, an offshoot of the Chalukya aesthetic. It developed under the patronage of the Hoysala rulers and flourished in the 10th and 11th centuries. For example, the network of vine with a floral motif at the centre that graces the frontal edge of the urli. The slender peacocks flourishing their gorgeous tails on either side of the urli. The indispensable Lord Ganesha figurine nestling in the vines that rise from the rear section of the urli’s rim.
Zoom in on each section of this Ganesha urli to take in the perfect symmetry and attention to detail with which it has been executed. The vine sections are characterised by superfine engraving, while each aspect of the bodies of the peacocks has been finished with lifelike detail. Note the thick-set handles behind the elaborate frontal legs, which would make it easier for you to move it around and position it anywhere in your house or office.
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist