World's tallest Nataraja statue unveiled at G20 Summit Venue
The world's tallest Nataraja statue crafted by skilled artisans was unveiled at the G20 summit venue.
An Overview of the News
The G20 summit venue is now adorned with a stunning 27-foot tall statue of Nataraja, which depicts Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance.
This magnificent statue is carved from Ashtadhatu, an eight-metal alloy, and weighs a remarkable 18 tonnes. A trailer with 36 tires was required for transportation to Delhi.
The skilled artisans of Swamimalai, Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu are responsible for creating this masterpiece, which beautifully blends tradition with modernity, taking inspiration from the ancient Nataraja sculptures.
Master Sculptor of Swamimalai
The primary sculptors of this statue are Srikanda Sthapati (61 years old) and his brothers Radhakrishna Sthapati and Swaminath Sthapati. His family boasts an impressive lineage in sculpture, spanning 34 generations, with origins dating back to the Chola era.
The Sthapathi family received their training through the ancient Gurukul system passed down for generations. She was selected for the Nataraja Project based on stringent criteria outlined by the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, Ministry of Culture.
The project draws inspiration from three iconic Nataraja sculptures: the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheswara Temple in Konerirajapuram, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur.
Traditional 'lost-wax' casting method
The crafting process adopted for this statue was the traditional 'lost-wax' casting method, an indigenous technique of the Chola era.
The process began with the creation of a highly detailed wax model adorned with intricate ornaments.
A unique alluvial clay paste, found exclusively in Swamimalai, was used to cover the entire mold, with Kaveri clay from a specific part of the river at Swamimalai playing a key role.
Investing in Artistry:
The construction of this remarkable Nataraja statue cost Rs 10 crore including GST.
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