Shiva cosmic dance stuns Nhabe Museum revelers
Boniface Keakabetse | Friday March 24, 2017 15:24
The exhibition, which ended last week was a collaboration between the High Commission of India, Artron Enterprises and the Okavango Artists Association (OAA).
OAA is a Maun-based visual arts non-profit organisation that seeks to elevate the standards of visual arts in the North West region.
The exhibition displayed sculptures, paintings, jewellery, woodcraft, stone craft, and handicraft to give viewers a glimpse into the ancient civilisaion of India.
Among the dignitaries were the High Commissioner of India, Ketan Shukla, Ngamiland district commissioner, Keoletile Leitego and Batawana deputy paramount chief, Bringle Dithapo.
Shukla talked about the Shiva, a dancing deity, which symbolises the interplay of dynamic and static divine energy flow containing the five principles of external energy; creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and emancipation.
Shiva belongs to the Imperial Cholas period, an age of continuous improvement and refinement of the Dravidian art and architecture.
The cholas utilised their prodigious wealth building long lasting stone temples and exquisite bronze sculptures. Shukla shared that Shiva dances in ‘Rudra Tandava’ or the dance of destruction in an aureole of Fire, creating wild thunder storms all around the universe, even shattering the sun and the moon.
“Shiva upper right hand holds hourglass drum standing for the female vital principle, while the lower gestures us to be fearless’ adding that a skull on his head depicts conquest over death,” Shukla said.
Shukla further explained that India has been home of arts, painting and crafts since primitive times. He added that Indians knew the art of painting since pre-historic times.
Moreover, he revealed that Indian textile traditions are also reputed all over the world and are admired for their beauty, texture, and durability.
The origins of Indian textiles can be traced to the Indus Valley civilsation. wThe people of the civilisation used homespun cotton for weaving garments.
“India had numerous trade links with the outside world and Indian textiles were popular in the ancient world,” Shukla said, adding that the greatest contribution of India (also by the Babylonians and Mayans) to the world is the invention of zero.
“India has expounded the concept of the Brahman (Cosmos) and infinity so the title appropriately describes the journey of Indian art to date.”
OAA chairperson, Ompatile Sebuelo said as an organisation that seeks to elevate the standard of visual art in the North West region they decided to partner with Artron Enterprises and the Indian High Commission to showcase indian art.
Sebuelo said: “OAA hopes that this initiative will highlight the importance of cultural diversity and co existence with various nations, cultures, and ethnicities”.
Artron Enterprises chief executive officer, Jitender Jittan said they remain committed to grow the arts and technology sectors by helping customers build stronger and profitable relationships with their patrons.