Shiva_MDI20th
Shiva Mandi, Early 20 th C Size: 36”*24” Oil on canvas Private collection of Bisht Suresh Chander of Wazir family, Mandi Artist: Ghayia Narotam As we look at this remarkable divine image, one can only imagine the dhyan stotra from the ancient scriptures which must have resonated in the mind of Narotam while putting colour on the canvas. The painting has that engaging iconography of Shiva which spreads the coolness of ambrosia from the crescent moon shining on the temple of the lord. The dhatura flower bejewelled on the head adds to the beauty. Ganga flows down from the matted hair yogic bun of Shiva and there on the neck hangs the garland of the greatest serpent with its’ eyes shining like lustrous gems. The throat of the lord is dark with the halahal 1 held from the great amrit manthan 2 and which appears like several layers of clouds packed closely on the night of the new moon. Shiva wears a leopard skin with its’ exalted head hanging from his left shoulder