Indian Bronze Sculpture (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)

In this article, we discuss the Indian Bronze Sculptures. The post deals with bronze casting techniques, bronze sculptures in North and South India, and some of the important examples of bronze sculptures like Nataraja. As you rightly guessed, this article is a part of the Indian Culture series based on the NCERT textbook ‘An Introduction to Indian Art’.

In the previous posts, we have discussed in detail the Temple Architecture, Post Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, etc. This is a continuation of those posts and the second last entry in the series.

Indian bronze sculptures have a rich and ancient tradition that spans many centuries. The art of bronze casting in India has been practiced since the ancient period, and these sculptures are celebrated for their exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, and cultural significance.

Indian Bronze sculptures

We know that Indian sculptures were masters in terracotta sculpturing and carving in stones. They were masters in the bronze medium too. (Bronze is Copper + Tin)

• The ‘Cire-Perdu’ or ‘Lost Wax’ technique for casting was learned as long ago as the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The ‘Dancing Girl’ in tribhanga posture found from Mohenjo-Daro is the earliest bronze sculpture datable to 2500 BCE.
• Sculptors discovered the process of making alloys of metals by mixing copper, zinc, and tin which is called Bronze.
• Bronze sculptures and statuettes of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain icons have been discovered in many regions of India dating from the 2^nd century AD until the 16^th century AD.
• Most of these were required for ritual worship and are characterized by exquisite beauty and aesthetic appeal.
• The metal casting process was also used for making articles for various purposes of daily use, such as utensils for cooking, eating, drinking, etc.
• The present-day tribal communities also utilize the ‘lost wax’ process for their artistic expression.

North India

• Dancing girl – Mohanjadaro.
• Chariot – Daimabad (Maharashtra) datable to 1500 BCE.
• Interesting images of Jain Thirthankaras have been discovered from Chausa, Bihar, belonging to the Kushana period during the 2nd century CE.
• These show how the Indian sculptors had mastered the modeling of masculine human physique and simplified muscles.
• Remarkable is the depiction of Adinath or Vrishabhanath, who is identified with long hair locks dropping to his shoulders. Otherwise, the thirthankaras are noted by their short curly hair.
• Many standing Buddha images with a right hand in Abhaya Mudra were cast in North India, particularly in UP and Bihar, during the Gupta and the Post-Gupta periods.
• The Sanghati or the Monk robe is wrapped to cover the shoulders, which turn over the arm, while the other end of the drapery is wrapped over the left arm.
• The clothes of Buddha figures were thin.
• The figure appears youthful and proportionate in comparison with the Kushana style.
• In the typical bronze from Dhanesar Khera, UP, the folds of the drapery are treated as in the Mathura style, i.e., in a series of dropping-down curves.
• Sarnath-style bronze has foldless drapery and an outstanding example is that of the Buddha image at Sultanganj, Bihar, which is a quiet monumental bronze figure.
• Vakataka bronze images of Buddha from Phophnar, Maharashtra are contemporary with the Gupta period bronzes. They show the influence of the Amaravati style of Andhra Pradesh in the 3^rd century and at the same time, there is a significant change in the draping style of monk’s robe.
• Buddha’s right hand in Abhaya Mudra is free so that the contemporary drapery clings to the right side of the body contour. The result is a continuous flowing line on this side of the figure.
• The additional importance of the Gupta and Vakataka bronze is that they were portable and monks carried them from place to place for individual worship or to be installed in Buddhist Viharas.
• In this manner, the refined classical style spread to different parts of India and Asian countries overseas.
• Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir regions also produced bronze images of Buddhist deities as well as Hindu gods and goddesses.
• Most of these were created during the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th centuries and have a very distinct style in comparison with bronze from other parts of India.
• A noteworthy development is the growth of different types of iconography of Vishnu images.
• Four-headed Vishnu, also known as Chaturanana or Vaikuntha Vishnu, was worshipped in these regions.
• In Buddhist centers like Nalanda, a school of bronze casting emerged around the 9^th century, during the rule of the Pala dynasty in Bihar and Bengal regions.
• In the gap of a few centuries, the sculptors at Kurkihar near Nalanda were able to revive the classical style of the Gupta period.
• A remarkable bronze is of a four-armed Avalokiteswara, which is a good example of a male figure in graceful tribhanga posture.
• Worship of female goddesses was adopted which is a part of the growth of the Vajrayana phase in Buddhism. Images of Tara became popular. Seated on the throne, she is accompanied by a growing curvilinear lotus stalk and her right hand is in Abhaya Mudra.

South India

The bronze casting technique and making of bronze images of traditional icons reached a high stage of development in South India during the medieval period.

• Among the Pallava period bronze of the 8^th century, the best one is the icon of Shiva seated in Ardhaparyanka asana (one leg kept dangling). The right hand is in the Achamana Mudra gesture, suggesting that he is about to drink poison.
• Although bronze images were modeled and cast during the Pallava period in the 8^th and 9th centuries, some of the most beautiful statues were produced during the Chola period in Tamil Nadu from the 10^th to the 12^th century AD.
• The technique of art fashioning bronze images is still skilfully practiced in South India, particularly in Kumbakonam.

Chola Bronzes (9th to 13th centuries):

• The distinguished patron during the 10^th century was the widowed Chola Queen, Sembiyan Maha Devi.
• Chola bronze images are the most sought-after collectors’ items by art lovers all over the world.
• The well-known dancing figure of Shiva as Nataraja evolved and fully developed during the Chola period and since then many variations of this complex bronze image have been modeled.
• A wide range of Shiva iconography was evolved in the Tanjore region of Tamil Nadu.
• The 9th-century Kalyanasundara Murti is highly remarkable for how panigrahana (ceremony of marriage) is represented by two separate statuettes.
• Shiva with his extended right hand accepts Parvati’s (the bride’s) right hand, who is depicted with a bashful expression and taking a step forward.
• The union of Shiva and Parvati is very ingeniously represented in the Ardhanarisvra in a single image. Beautiful independent figurines of Parvati have also been modeled, standing in the graceful tribhanga posture.

Vijayanagara Bronzes (14th to 17th centuries):

During the 16^th century known as the Vijayanagara period in Andhra Pradesh, the sculptors experimented with portrait sculpture to preserve knowledge of the royal patrons for prosperity. At Tirupati, the life-size standing portrait statue was cast in bronze, depicting Krishnadevaraya with his two queens, Tirumalamba and Chinnadevi.

• The sculpture has combined the likeness of the facial features with certain elements of idealization.
• The idealization is further observed in the manner the physical body is modeled to appear imposing as well as graceful.
• The standing King and Queens are depicted in a praying posture, that is, both hands in the Namaskara mudra.
• The Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished in the 14th to 17th centuries, continued the tradition of bronze casting with a focus on Hindu deities and mythological figures.
• The sculptures from this period often exhibit a robust and dynamic quality, with attention to realistic anatomy and intricate ornamentation.

Nataraja

The Nataraja statue, also known as the “Dancing Shiva” or “Lord of the Dance,” is a famous and iconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva in his cosmic dance form. This Indian bronze sculpture has deep symbolic significance in Hinduism and is considered a powerful artistic and spiritual expression. Here are some key features and interpretations associated with the Nataraja statue:

Iconography:

• Dancing Pose: The Nataraja is depicted in a dynamic dance pose, known as the “Ananda Tandava” or “Dance of Bliss.” The dance symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction.
• Multiple Arms: Shiva is often depicted with multiple arms, each holding symbolic objects. These objects include a drum (damaru) symbolizing the sound of creation, fire (Agni) representing destruction, a raised hand (abhaya mudra) signifying protection, and a pointing foot (nritya hasta) symbolizing the defeat of ignorance.

Cosmic Symbolism:

• The Nataraja’s dance represents the eternal rhythm of the universe. The dance is seen as both an act of creation and destruction, highlighting the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.
• The circle of fire surrounding Shiva symbolizes the cosmic energy and the process of creation and dissolution.

Apasmara Purusha:

• The figure of a dwarf, known as Apasmara Purusha or Muyalaka, lies under Shiva’s foot. This represents the triumph of Shiva over ignorance and the forces of illusion (Maya).

Sacred Geometry:

• The Nataraja often stands within a circular or elliptical frame, representing the cosmic cycle and the wheel of time. The symbolism is closely linked to Hindu concepts of time, eternity, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Indian bronze sculptures not only serve as religious and artistic artifacts but also offer insights into the cultural, spiritual, and technological achievements of ancient Indian civilizations. Many of these sculptures are housed in museums and collections around the world, showcasing the enduring legacy of this artistic tradition.

Also read: Modern Indian Sculpture

Article compiled by: Jijo Sudarsan