Dev nritya – Dance of the Gods

As described in devibhagwata Goddess Bhuvaneshwari handover three shakti goddesses Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali – Parvati to all three main deities Vishnu, Brahma  and Shiva respectively.  One evening at home while my daughter was revising her Kathak – Indian performing arts theory describing the evolution of major Indian dance forms inspired me to compose this beautiful composition.

Sanatana Hindu religion emphasis worship of five main deities namely Ganesha , Surya (The Sun), Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti goddess in any form. Shiva then plays his damru (Two headed Pellet drum) and creates this universe. It is believed and written in scriptures that roots of Indian dance forms are emerged from shiva’s  tandav nritaya. Hence here I have also depicted Shiva wearing pairs of metal ginis clash cymbals originating in Indian subcontinent and used for performing religious and folk dance which is known as “Manjira raas”.

 Beauty of harmony in married life “grahsthsram” is beautifully explained in the form of “Ardhnareshwar”  (Half man half female Lord Shiva). Hence this creation inspired me to compose in such a way that I can culminate the entire preaching of basics of Hinduism  on a single canvas.

Shiva plays damru and performs dance with parvati – ardhnareshwar and creates this beautiful nature.  Mount Kailas, the flora and fauna, European layout garden, peacock feathers and beautiful skies represents this beautiful “LIFE” that God(nature) has created. Moon shaped head piece describes one of the name’s of Shiva derived as “Chandramoleshwar” and entire head piece creates “Chandra bindi” represented as Shakti Goddess. Shiva bejewelled with beautiful aquamarine jewellery and Thai style draped outfit describes the femininity of Parvati.

 Vishnu plays his conch, Saraswati plays her veena, Ganesha joins by playing mridinga and thus Laxmi, Brahma and Kartika also joins this celebration. The Sun god showers his golden sunlight and thus all Gods and Goddesses together explains the reason of our (mankind) existence “BEAUTIFUL LIFE”.

LOVE NATURE AND NATRUE WILL LOVE YOU

Location inspired from:- Mount Kailas  and Henry Morrison Flagler  House museum. West Palm Beach - Florida. USA.