Description
A seated Sarasvati in brass, as She is visualised by devotees in Nepal. This Roopa (form) of Devi Sarasvati, the Hindus’ presiding deity over learning and aesthetics, bears all the hallmarks of Nepalese iconography: slender body defined by sharp-angled curves, a crown of five spires, and a sea of sashes floating about the figure. All of these are distinct from but in keeping with the Indian iconography of Sarasvati.She cradles a miniature veena in Her lap. Three of Her four hands - because She is the chaturbhujadharini, the four-armed one - are devoted to holding it and strumming and tuning its strings. Music emanates from the language of Sarasvati’s body as it does from Her veena. The head tilts gently to the right upon the neck, the shoulders are jutting subtly to the left. It is as if the music flows through Her, making Her sway.The monotone green of this murti features overtones of a creamy ochre colour. She sits upon a throne of lotus petals, with one foot resting upon the back of Her vahana, the graceful swan. Despite the miniature scale on which it is carved, the resemblance of the pristine bird to its mistress is unmistakable.
