drawing
- Museum number
- 2005,0112,0.5
- Description
-
Ink and wash drawing on European paper of Alagiyamanavala (a form of Viṣṇu) in the Tirumamani Mandapa at Srirangam. The drawing shows a section of both the Tirumamani mandapa, with the chariot containing the image of Alagiyamanavala, and opposite it the highly ornate Shesagiriraya mandapa, recognizable from the front by its dramatic pillars showing rearing horses with riders, hunting scenes, yalis (leogryphs) and other martial motifs. Against this background a group of pilgrims, approaches the Tirumamani mandapa to pay homage to the murti (main sacred image). The scene is carefully observed: a pujari (priest who performs the puja) steps into the mandapa after having secured the attention of the pilgrims. A Brahmin, standing at the entrance to the mandapa with a cylindrical flower basket hanging from his wrist, gives a garland to one of the ladies holding a child by the hand. Another child, perched on his father’s shoulder, points at the mandapa. Inside the mandapa, a group of devotees stand with their hands joined above their heads in anjali mudra, paying homage to the image. To the left is a cluster of standing devotees and a lady seated opposite some Brahmins. The image on the chariot in the mandapa carries in his upper right hand the chakra (discus) and in his upper left the shankha (conch), while his lower right hand is in abhaya mudra and his lower left rests on the gada (mace). The sides of the chariot are decorated with large tassels.
- Production date
- 1820-1830 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 37 centimetres
-
Width: 24 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Dallapiccola 2010:
This drawing shows the same scene as depicted in 1990,1029,0.2, but from another vantage point.
This painting is from a set of twelve drawings (1990,1029,0.1–7 and 2005,0112,0.1–5) executed in ink and wash on European paper backed on to a page of Persian text. They are originally part of a larger series depicting festivals and ceremonies in the two great sacred complexes sited on Srirangam island: the Shri Ranganatha temple and the Shri Jambukeshvara temple. At some point the set has been split up and the drawings have entered the museum on two separate occasions, in 1990 and 2005. The set focuses on both Vaishnava and Saivite celebrations. This series of drawings reveals the artist’s mastery of the medium and keen eye for detail. With a few strokes of the pen, he was able to evoke the bustle and excitement of a procession, a temple visit or ceremony. The immediacy and liveliness of the figures are unparalleled.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2008 Nov 11-2009 Mar 1, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 'Shiva Nataraja: The Lord of Dance'
- Condition
- good
- Acquisition date
- 2005
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 2005,0112,0.5