Archives by Category: ‘Sculpture’

Dec

2008 Fashion is 6 packs Abs - check this girl from 7th C

The ‘IN’ thing among todays macho men of the film industry ( thank God for that - else we will have Hero’s who look like beached whales running around trees romancing girls young enough to be their daugthers …we still do!! - but atleast the healthy trend is catching on ) is getting fit and flashing their 6 packs abs ( a yet to be released bollywood blockbuster claims 8 packs!!)

But check out this damsel flashing her abs - sculpted 1300 years ago. Mallai ( mamallapuram) near chennai - the Mahishasuramardhini Panel. Can you spot her, no I am not referring to the Devi. Giving you multiple angles.

Can you spot her assistant now…crouched on one knee, brandishing a heavy sword on her right hand, beautifully attired in a breast band , she is poised to strike the leg of the demon Mahisha.

Now, can you see the justification for the tag line, 6 packs abs, take a look at hers. Women were warriors ( and some still are ) and from the shape she is in, must have been a heavily trained one at that.

Time to get up and hit the threadmill i guess.

Vaaranam Aayiram - not the film, but sculpture from Halebid

We watched the tamil movie Vaaranam Aayiram last night - ok, i know all of you are asking why i have jumped from sculpture to feature films. Well we are talking sculpture today as well, just that i found the choice of names for this film to be Unique. Literally translated it means a thousand elephants.

Its from a famous verse of the great devotee Aandaal sung on Vishnu - loosely translated - She envisions Vishnu coming surrounded by a 1000 elephants, the villagers noticing this gather water in golden pots ( auspicious welcome) and string garlands all over the town. Maybe the name created enough interest and inorder to explain the title the director made the hero’s mother - explain it at the very end - to every women her man is such….

But it reminded me of another man, he too linked to a thousand elephants - not surrounded but the strength of a thousand elephants - the legendary Bhima - . His culinary skills ( and consumption) apart, his strength forms part of many a folklore.

Being the son of Vayu ( the god of wind) he was born strong, yet there is another story of how he got his superhuman strength. Once while with Droupadi, a fabulous scent fills the air and both are drawn to it, Bhima goes in search of the source, a divine flower deep inside a forest. Enroute he stumbles across a monkey that is lying in his path. Drunk on his strength, Bhima abuses the monkey and asks it to give way, else he threatens to pick it and throw it away. The monkey doesn’t even bat an eyelid and asks him to first try lifting his tail. Amused Bhima tries to move the tail but to his astonishment finds that he can’t even nudge it. Realising his folly, he humbly seeks the true identity of his opponent - he is none other than the mighty Hanuman ( his half brother). Hanuman had come to hear of Bhima’s vain nature and ego on is strength and this was a lesson in humility. Having thought the lesson he embraces Bhima - who at once realises a supreme energy flowing through him….Hanuman has reinforced Bhima’s strength with the embrace.

Ok, now the sculpture. The amazing Halebid complex throws up this beauty. ( pl click on the image for a good view)

In the centre is the mighty Bhima rushing at an oncoming elephant - holding it by its trunk ( sadly broken) and ready to strike it with his mace. There are two soldiers behind the elephant in heavy armor - sword, shield.