Shakyamuni Buddha, Indication of his supreme wisdom

At the time of awakening, when the former prince of a warrior clan of northern India passed from the hungry acetic to the Buddha himself, he touched (sparsha) a finger on the earth (bhumi), invoking him as his witness. The sutras tell how the grahas (planets) stopped and the totality of the jivas (living creatures) paid homage to him. Despite being beyond the scope of art and literature, the superb brass work captures the glamor of Shakyamuni's unsurpassed awakening. "Don't look at me," Shakyamuni had said, "but in the state of enlightenment."

The lobes of the Buddha fall with the weight of his carnaphool, an indication of his supreme wisdom. On his forehead is written inexpressible bliss, three characteristic curves of the shell on his sweet throat. His graceful bust and limbs emerge from beneath a robe containing the ashtamangala in dense and complex patterns, which gather in lush folds beneath Him. The drape covering the entire back of the Buddha was exquisitely carved with the motifs of great spiritual significance in the

Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For example, under the seated life of Shakyamuni there is a pair of deer on either side of a golden Dharmachakra, a symbol of fidelity and harmony. At the center of the spine is the dragon, which represents the masculine principle (which) includes creative and transformative energies. The snow lion between his shoulders is the national animal of Tibet and is said to preside over its snowy mountains, lending Buddha the name of Shakyasimha.

Gorgeous Krishna Plays The Flute To His Cow

The sculpture you see on this page is loaded with a woodwind set on His lips, the sunset blue composition of His roopa, and the tribhang (extending out in three points along the structure) pose. It is a contemporary, high-expertise imitation of the sorts of life-sized carvings to be found on antiquated sanctuary dividers of the South. 

The handsome young cowherd as one of His cows for an audience. There is not a more iconic duo in Indian culture than Lord Krishna with His beloved bovine companion.It makes for an image that is superlatively holy in terms of iconography, the cow being the sacred maternal figure in the Indian psyche. The rich pastel hues of the colour-palette symbolise the fullness of their relationship, much sung about in devotional literature revolving around the youthful Deva

The Kutch region of Gujarat Oil Painting

Located in the landlocked western recesses of the subcontinent, the Kutch region of Gujarat is home to lively folk fashion and vibrant aesthetics, both of which are characteristic of the local style of embroidery. 

It is the most notable of Indian embroideries, a Geographical Indication of the place it comes from. Note the embroidery the artisan holds in her hands. Striking foundation colour, silver sequins, and abundant florals. 

Kutch Artisan

These are atypical, and could be observed on the artisan's ghagra as well, what with the mirrors glimmering in the pale light that surrounds her. The rest of her outfit are a good picture of what Kutch fashion is all about - brightly coloured gold-sequined choli, luscious dupatta, and lots of chunky silver jewellery.

Beturbaned Radha-Krishna White Marble Statue

Radha-Krishna is the most celebrated amorous couple in Indian culture. Having devoted Her all to the most handsome youth of Vrindavan, Radha has the privilege of being an integral part of His iconography to this day. This despite the fact that She could never have Him as Her lord and husband during their time together in ihloka (human realm of existence).

 White Marble Statue

Elaborate turbans sit on both their heads, in keeping with the appeal of the rest of their attire. Sculpted from the best of homegrown marble, the medium captures the divine beauty of Krishna's togetherness with His Radha.

Psychedelic Peacock Madhubani Paintings

This one has been handpicked from the studios of local artisans in the region in present-day Bihar. It is done on handmade paper paintings with pigments made from traditional ingredients such as blended lampblack and rice powder. The beauty of the Indian peacock has been captured to perfection in this abstract composition that relies on a repetition of its one-of-a-kind feather-motif. 

Peacock Madhubani paintings

A peacock with an elaborate, layered plumage constitutes the foreground. Its tiny body is made up of motifs, some of which are strategically filled in with paint, to create patterns that are seemingly hallucinogenic. 

Desert-Skinned Beauty Oil Paintings

The tousled mass of her hair glows against the dim lamp that she has lit somewhere in her room, not within the view afforded by the frame. She has let it cascade to midway down her back, the desert tone of which comes across as highly seductive. From the gold and rubies and emeralds of Her statement shringar, to the band of turquoise brocade that is visible of her choli, bring out the beauty of her distinct complexion.

Desert-Skinned Beauty

The tousled mass of her hair glows against the dim lamp that she has lit somewhere in her room, not within the view afforded by the frame. She has let it cascade to midway down her back, the desert tone of which comes across as highly seductive. 

The Ascetic Lord Ganesha in yogic roopa

This bronze sculpture is a unique study in Lord Ganesha iconography. It is the yogic roopa of the son of Hinduism's mahayogi, Lord Shiva. The giveaways are in the kamandalu that He carries in His left hand, a quintessential possession of the ascetic.All the bhiksha He receives is gathered in it, no matter the nature of the edible in question; because He consumes mitahar (measured proportions of food) for His bare survival, as opposed to consumption for pleasure.

Ascetic Lord Ganesha

Another sign of the Lord's asceticism lies in the kind of slippers that grace His feet. It is called kharam, which serve to merely clothe the sole and are secured in place by being wedged in between the hallux and the index toe. An open garland graces His torso.