Bronze Gallery, Chennai - Glimpse into India’s Glorious Past
India is a land of diverse culture and heritage. According to historical records, the ancient art of casting and mold making started in the north-western part of India. By the end of the 4th century C.E., it spread all over the country. Excavations in the different parts of the country have revealed impressive discoveries in the given field.Indian bronze statues are an exquisite beauty. Some of the oldest bronze statues found in the Indian subcontinent dates back 3rd millennium B.C.E. Indian artists, during those times, could mold the divine dancing damsels or the demigods dressed in their celestial attire with finesse.
An alloy of copper and tin, bronze was widely used for making utensils, weapons, and sculptures. Later on, the artists began adding other metals like gold, silver, and zinc into the existing combination creating Panchaloha (five metals) statues. Additionally, sculptors experimented with more metals creating Ashtadhatu (eight metals) sculptures.
These sculptures were cast solid, but often these statues could hollow and decorated with repoussé and chasing effects. Other than that, engravings and gildings were also used to decorate the metallic sculptures. Some of the stunning examples of Indian bronzes could be found in Building 3 or the Bronze Gallery, Chennai museum.
A brief introduction to Government Museum, Chennai
One of the oldest museums in the Indian subcontinent, the Government Museum, Chennai was founded in 1851. Later on, the building was shifted to its current site. Spread in the area of 16 acres, the museum has six independent buildings and forty-six galleries. With a huge collection, belonging to different eras and time-frames, this vintage building has a rich collection of numismatic, archeological, and anthropological displays.However among them, the Bronze Gallery, Chennai reportedly receives the highest amount of visitor footfall. No points for guessing, why?
The Panchaloha and Bronze Gallery
The Panchaloha and Bronze Gallery, Chennai houses more than fifteen hundred exhibits belonging to a different era in Indian history. The gallery is divided into four sections with Buddhist (85), Jain (25), and rest Saivite and Vaishnavite idols.The stunning exhibits include gods, celestial nymphs, demigods, and Buddha in different sizes and postures. Most of these bronze statues belonged to the different eras in the Indian history, and showcases the artistic ability of the people belonging to those times.
Observe the exhibits at the Bronze Gallery, Chennai very minutely. Even the crevices and folds of the clothes of these statues have been depicted quite minutely.
Important exhibits at the gallery
The Bronze Gallery, Chennai is a popular destination among tourists, both domestic and international. Here are some of the popular exhibits of the gallery:· Sukhasana (Thanjavur District, 10th Century AD)
Sukhasana – a pose in yoga – is derived from two Sanskrit words such as meaning easy or comfort and asana meaning pose. In this bronze statue, you can observe the Hindu deity Vishnu sitting on an elevated platform. The four-handed deity is blessing the visitors in Abhaya mudra – assurance of safety. Observe the details on the crown and the foot of the statue.· Veenadhara Dakshinamurti (Thanjavur District, 10th Century AD)
The Veenadhara Dakshinamurti belonged to a temple in the Tanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. A common fixture in the Shiva temples, the Dakshinamurthy represents a person who is facing towards the south – the direction of death. Here the mentioned idol is supposed to be playing veena, the traditional Indian string musical instrument, and is adorned with traditional jewelry.· Kaliyakrishna (Nagapattinam, 16th Century AD)
The given bronze statue belonged to the 16th century and showcases one of the important events in the life of cow-herd god, Sri Krishna. The idol has two hands, left hand raised overhead while the deity is blessing the visitors with his right hand. Not to miss details include the crown on the head and exceptionally beautiful eyes.· Nataraja (Kanchipuram, 9th Century AD)
Nataraja, or the King of dance, is probably the most recognized bronze idol of the lot. The dancing representation of Shiva, an important god in the Hindu pantheon, showcases the god performing the Ananda Tandava or the dance of infinite bliss after his triumph on demon Apasmarapurusha (the demon of ignorance). The idol is adorned with delicately carved jewelry, anklets, and a crown.Some other popular exhibits of Bronze Gallery, Chennai includes
• Exhibit 1: Ganesa, Nagapattinam District - 11th Century A.D (Saivite Bronzes)• Exhibit 5: Parvati, Thanjavur District - 15TH Century A.D. (Saivite Bronzes)
• Exhibit 17: Buddha, Nagappattinam District - 12th Century A.D (Buddhist Bronze)
• Exhibit 22: Kaliyakrishna, Nagappatinam District - 15TH Century A.D (Vaishnavite Bronzes)
Summary of Government Museum Chennai
Address: Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008Phone: 044 2819 3778
Working hours: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm (Friday Closed)