Modern Interpretation of an Ancient Sculpture

Abstract

The classical works of art, especially, the masterpieces of temple architecture in the 11th and 12th centuries during the rule of Western Chalukyas combine vivid elements of Hindu expressionism and deliberate dashes of artistic and cultural heritage reflecting a predominant desire to marry religious concepts with spiritual lessons. A humble subject for my interpretive painting is an inspiration drawn from Bhimeshwara temple: a small sculpture of Nandi, the bull (vahana of Shiva) situated in the western sanctum, adorned with intricately rendered lintels. Building a composition around an intense religious belief and spiritual narrative, the work presents a mystical world through the prism of multicultural associations of mythical and religious imagery.