A dream comes true learning- memorable experience

I always wanted to learn mural carving on Siporex blocks. Many arts and crafts lovers and practitioner know about siporex mural. Siporex is aerated blocks of cement , used for constructions.  Beautiful mural can be carved using these blocks. I had come to know about  art of siporex murals five rears ago. From then I was longing to learn siporex mural art. Whomever was teaching the art did not reply to my queries  properly. :(
But my search for right "Guru", to teach this art was on.

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it ---Paulo Coelho

This year the above saying turned true for me. I could learn siporex mural from well known artist Shri. Chandra Rawal . After knowing about his work through social media, I had sent a message to him conveying my interest to learn siporex carving. I was lucky that he was conducting a  workshop in Bangalore. This was organized Ms.Manjula . I immediately contacted her and registered myself for the workshop. I was super excited as my dream to learn 3D mural making came true!

Here is the mural I made siporex block in the workshop:

Transformation of simple siporex block into lively 3D mural:

December 27th th workshop began, but due to my personal commitments I could not attend the first two days . Manjula was kind enough to send some designs online. I chose as usual my favorite Krishna design from those. The design was traced on siporex block:

And the carving started under the guidance of Shri. Chandra Rawal. Here is the complete transformation of the siporex block to beautiful carving:

Initial carving to make the background like vine and flower designs. This takes lots of effort. The student continously requires guidance from the teacher. Shri . Chandra Rawal, had put his maximum effort to teach the initial carvings.

Initial Carving of background

 Then the carving of face in case of any human figure in the design:

Carving the face in human figures

 Applying base colors and shading :

Initial coloring and shading

 

After final touch to the mural, like coloring the eyes , jewels etc, the mural is ready:

Finally made!

Wonderful experience of learning Siporex mural making: 

While joining this workshop, I thought it would be normal workshop of learning an art. This was not just workshop, but a memorable learning experience. To learn anything, the combination of learner's open mind and Guru's willingness to share his/her knowledge to the student are required. The combination was present in the workshop. There were nineteen more  who were eager and enthusiastic students from different fields and parts of the country. Each made very unique murals, which I will be sharing in coming posts. I can say Shri. Chandra  Rawal was a perfect guru. He never hesitated to answer our queries, and with his lively persona and encouraging words he made us confident to learn. Whenever we used to make mistakes, he guided us giving tips and tricks to correct those mistakes.

 Many(including me) used to travel from far places everyday to workshop  but it was never tiresome. That is the liveliness we feel when we do something we love. 
I met wonderful people and art enthusiastic people there.  I really started loving those sound produced by carving , though it was not rhythmic. In every stage of making mural , all the students used to give suggestions to one another- like : " This color looks good", "Carve a little flower here", "Make the jewels like this", etc and after each student finished mural everyone used to appreciate saying "WOW! it is come out very nicely".These appreciations really made me feel like I'm from Jakanachari's  ( a legendary sculptor ) family  :)


My heartfelt thanks to organizer Manjula  for giving opportunity to learn from wonderful  artist and Guru,  Chndra Rawal .  This workshop will be memorable moments of my learning path of arts and crafts. Thank you for teaching us this wonderful art Chandra Sir. :) . Your magical hands converts each siporex block into a lively mural, and your dedication and patience in teaching make every students confident.

Shri Chandra Rawal , handing over mural to me:)

Last day of the workshop, mind was little upset, thinking that next morning the routine would be back to normal everyday routine.  I will be missing the carving sound which I used to hear nearing the workshop, lovely and wonderful new friends encouraging one another, discussions , laugh etc . But we are hoping to meet again with one more workshop which will be organized soon.

I know , you are eager to see some more murals made in the workshop and to know more about  the artist Shri. Chandra Rawal too. Definitely share about those in coming posts,

Until then-

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Interesting Sculptures - Dancing Nataraja Of Badami cave temple

Badami-Aihole-Pattadakallu is the ancient architectural wonder in Karnataka. If you are lover of history, and ancient architecture, you should visit this place. You can read more about Badami-Aihole-Pattadakallu, in this article.
Badami is famous for the cave temple located there. This has four cave temples, situated one above the other.

I have already shared about an interesting sculpture carved on the  pillars of the cave temple in one of my earlier posts.
In this post sharing about another interesting sculpture. The first cave temple has the sculptures related to Hindu God Shiva. This sculpture is located to the right side to the entrance of the temple.

 

You can see Lord Shiva in the form of Nataraja (King of Dance-literal meaning), beside a small idol of Lord Ganesha(Son of Lord Shiva)

Here is the closer view:

 

It can be observed that, there are totally 18 arms, 9 on each sides. The significance of this sculpture is  - each combination of the hands represents Mudras of Bharatanatyam ( a form of Indian classical dance). Totally 81 mudras are depicted in this sculpture.

 And Lord Ganesha is enjoying the dance I guess ! Or is he trying to learn the steps?

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana 

Somanathpura Temple-Carved ornaments in Hoysala Architecture

After another break back to blogosphere. Whenever I take break from blogging, I come back with a decision, that I should not take a break again. But somehow not able to keep it. This time decided, at-least weekly once update my blog with post about my works in arts and crafts, and interesting information about arts and crafts.
OK, this time taking you to see the intricate design of ornaments carved on each idols of Somanathpura temple. Somanathpura Channkeshwara Temple is in Mysore district.This is built in Hoysala Architecture. You can read about Somanathapura temple here. I have visited this temple twice and also shared about the unique Laxmi sclupture  in one of the posts. To really understand the architecture and sculpture I feel , at-least 3-4 visits are required.

                                  Channakeshwara Temple- Somanathapura

 

The Hoysala Architecture of building temple is very interesting. You can read about Hoysala Architecture here.
I loved the intricate ornaments(obvious for a woman to get attracted towards jewels, whether its on sclupture on another woman :-)) carving on  the sculpture.

 

Closer view of the ornaments such as  pendants, necklaces, waistbands etc.

 Who will not be mesmerized by them? So ladies reading this post , aren't the designs very tempting? So you can plan to order the jeweleries with same design :-)

Soon share about some more sculptures and temples I visited. And sure will share about my works in arts and crafts also.

Until then

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Hampi Stone Chariot in Bangalore!

I had planned to post about Bidri work. In between visited a craft fest , held at Chitrakala Parishat.
I saw replica of the  famous Hampi Stone Chariot there. Could not wait sharing with you.

Have a look :

 

This is made of cardboard and plaster of Paris. The side view

 

 

Hampi is one of my dream destinations. Since years I've been wishing to visit that place, but somehow could not. Hope to visit Hampi soon. If you have visited Hampi, then you can judge whether this replica is perfect or not. 

In the next post definitely share about Bidri work.

Until then,

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Interesting Sculptures -Badami Cave temple

Badami - a place in Karantaka, very famous for cave temples. Last year I had been to Badami and Pattadakallu( a village nearby Badami- I will write about this in coming posts.)
In Badami cave temple, all the sculptures are very beautiful. Among those sculptures, I found two sculptures very interesting.
One is the "Elephant and Bull, with common head" sculpture:

If the left side of the body is covered its a Bull  and right side covered it is elephant.

It is clear in the below cropped images:

Left side-Elephant

Right side-Bull

When I browsed about this sculpture, I found, this kind of sculpture is present in  Airavateshwara temple (Darasuram-near Tanjore, Tamilnadu)and the world famous heritage centre Hampi (Karnataka). Quite interesting! 

Another sculptures is of Shiva and Parvati, on Nandi (Bull)

It may look normal Shiva Parvati , sculpture. If you observe closely, you can see, Parvati sitting in side saddle position. Parvati's one hand is holding Shiva's waist and another is on the shoulder. Something similar to double riding on a Motor bike :-) Isn't it very interesting?

There are many sculptures in Badami cave temple. I will share about those in the coming posts.

-Until then,

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Murudeshwara- The story of Aatmalinga

In the previous post you have read about Murudeshwara Temple. As I've mentioned , the piece of Aatmalinga thrown by Raavana fell here. What made Raavana to throw the Aatmalinga? This story is narrated through sculptures made of Plaster of Paris, near  Murudeshwara temple. There is cave like construction at the base of Lord Shiva statue:

You can enter the cave by paying 10 Rupees as entry fee.( The collected amount is used for Annadaana-feeding the visitors of the temple). Once entered, a colourful magnificent  sculptures take you to a different world. There is audio narration of story. You can move seeing each of the sculptures and  listening to the story.

Raavana's mother was a devotee of Shiva. She worshipped, Shiva Linga made of sand.She wished to worship Aatmalinga and conveyed her wish to her son Raavana.

Raavana promised his mother, that he would get the Aatmalinga from Lord  Shiva.

As promised to his mother, Raavana prayed Lord Shiva.

 Naarada approached Shri Vishnu and requested him to divert Raavana's mind, thinking , Raavana would use his power to cause evil to the world.

In spite of Raavana's severe penance , Lord Shiva did not appear. So Raavana became furious and lifted the Kailasa Parvata.

Satisfied by Raavana's worship, Lord Shiva appeared with wife Parvati. By this time, Vishnu had played his trick to divert Raavana's mind. Because of this trick, Raavana asked Parvati from Shiva. And Shiva let Parvati go with Raavana.

On the way back to Lanka( Raavana's Kingdom), Naarada met Raavana. He told Raavana that, Lord Shiva had not given him real Parvati and she was in Paatala Loka( world below earth). When Raavana turned back, Parvati appeared as Mahakaali. Horrified by this, Raavana went to Paatala Loka.

In Paatala Loka, Mandodari, daughter of the King looked like Parvati to Raavana  and he married her.

When Raavana returned with his wife, his mother scolded him for not bringing the Aatmalinga.

Raavana again went and prayed Lord Shiva. He started sacrificing himself to Lord Shiva,

cutting every organ. Finally when he started cutting his head, Shiva appeared and gave him the Aatmalinga.Lord Shiva, warned him, the Aatmalinga should not be kept on ground.

This time as instructed by Shri Vishnu, Naarada approached Shri Ganesha, to take Aatmalinga from Raavana.

As Raavana nearing Gokarna, Vishnu made it appear like evening, by masking the Sun. Raavana had to perform his Sandhya Pooja( rituals to be performed in evening),he found Ganesha in disguise of a boy.Raavana requested him to hold the Aatmalinga till he completed his worship.Ganesha told Raavana, as the Aatmalinga was very heavy, he would call Raavana thrice. If Raavana did not come within that time, then he would place the Aatmalinga on the earth.

As planned , Ganesha, called Raavana thrice and placed  the Aatmaling on the earth. Raavana became very furious and hit Ganesha on his scalp.

Raavana realized, this happened because of the trick played by Shri Vishnu. He tried to uproot the Aatmalinga.

Different parts the Aatmalinga were thrown towards Southern direction. 

The case of the Aatmalinga fell in Sajjeshwara, 

The lid of the case fell in a place called Gunavanthe(Gunavatheshwara) 

The thread of the Aatmalinga fell in a place called Dhareshwara and

The cloth covered to Aatmalinga fell on Kanduka hill, or now its called Murudeshwara. 

The place where Aatmalinga placed, is called Gokarna.

Murudeshwara.

Did it not take you to mythological world? The sculptures are built so nicely that  expressions on the face are very clear. In coming posts I will share about all  five temples. If possible try to visit these places and temples. 

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Murudeshwara- Temple on Seashore

This temple is known as one of the oldest temples in India, as it dates to the time of Ramayana.  I can say this is blend of beauty of nature with divinity.  This is a Shiva temple, and the legend says,the piece of Atmalinga thrown by Ravana fell here.
Many times I had visited this temple, because its hardly 60 Kilometres from my native place, Kumta. This time during  visit to my native, I visited Murudeshwara temple.
The doorway of the temple which is painted with Silver and Gold color

As you come close to the temple, cool breeze and roaring sound of the sea welcomes you.

Mesmerizing beauty of Coastal, where the temple is situated.

Oh Lord Shiva !protecting all his devotees. This is the second highest Shiva statue in the world. 

Look at the Gopura of the temple

This is the highest temple Gopura in India. It has 20 floors and we can go to 20th floor by paying 10 Rupees. The collected money is used for Annadana. ( feeding the visitors of the tmple)

 

Entrance of the temple and the Dwajastambha.

The temple has many sculptures, depicting several stories about Lord Shiva.

Parvati Kalyana(Marriage ceremony of Shiva and Parvati)

Ravana lifting Kailasa

Outside the temple also you can see many sculptures :

Shri Ganesha writing the great epic Mahabharatha

Nandi- Lord Shiva's Vahana(Vehicle)

Ravana giving the Atmalinga to Ganesha in disguise

Geetopadesha- Krishna preaching Bhagavadgeeta to Arjuna

Soorya Bhagavan(The Sun God)

By the time we completed visiting all these, the Sun was setting. How could I miss capturing that:

That's why, this is the perfect blend of beauty of nature with divinity. You can see nature in God and God in nature. 

Did I miss anything?Oh! forgot to tell about the story about this temple! Sorry. But don't worry, I will share about that in the next post.

Till then,

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

I could not share all the photos, so those are here.