Gangāvataraṇa – Descent of Gangā

From the heaven to earth. The crystal clear water of celestial river Gangā, when descending on earth, manifested as a goddess, beautiful maiden by pious hermits, philosophers and artists. Her matchless crystal clear sparkling beauty was the creator of all beings. She is water, she is everything; without her being, nothing exists. Gangā the river on earth. You are like a wish fulfilling creeper Kalpalatā which bestows fruits to the world. You are a destroyer of grief. You flow into the ocean with the joyfulness of a young maiden, whirling away with side glimpse.

कल्पलतामिव फलदां लोके प्रणमति यस्त्वां न पतति शोके । पारावारविहारिणि गङ्गे विमुखयुवतिकृततरलापाङ्गे ॥६॥ (गंगा स्तोत्र)

The painting is an inspiration from the ancient literature, praise heavenly river Gangā. The celebrated river of India. Rain bearing clouds can be seen in the form of mighty elephants, melting into the rain, the divine goose (Hans) just trying to clasp the dew drops on the divine lotus from the paradise. Whereas flying goose in the skies are bringing the garland of clouds to greet goddess Gangā. The elegant Gangā is clad in the silken white nine yard Marāthi sari. She is holding a blooming white lotus, wearing Nath, a famous Marāthi nose ornament. Her ear ornaments are Matsya kundala, kanthāhāra, Hār and Mekhalā of pearls. Her long black hair are seen plummeting the pearls of morning dew. As she is water, her body is cloudy wet. Her descending tender gait makes all animate, conscious and flourishing. The Makara, her Vāhana, and Yakśa both symbolizes fertility and prosperity. Both are receiving her happiest glance. All the reptiles, aquatic animals, astoundingly see her descent. Every part of the painting is rejoicing her arrival from celestial to the earthly world Amurta to Murta. Water to life.

Artist, art historian and archeologist, Dr Shrikant Pradhaan believes, ‘Influences are picked only to make them your own, while art remains contemporary in the time that you practice, irrespective of its influences.’

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.