The Brahma Image of Chola Period from Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum
Summary
The article examines a specific Brahma image from the Chola period housed in the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum of the L. D. Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad. The author, Indubala Nahakpam, contextualizes the museum's establishment in 1956 and its public opening in 1984, which includes galleries for sculpture, manuscripts, and miniature paintings. The Cholas are identified as the greatest Dravidian rulers of South India, who rose to power around 850 A.D. under Vijayalaya and ruled for approximately 430 years, fostering a dynamic and continuously developing artistic tradition. The article details the iconography of Brahma according to Hindu mythology, describing him as the creator god (Prajapati) associated with the *rajo-guna*, who emerged self-born (*svayambhu*) from a lotus. The deity is characterized by four faces representing the four Vedas and four arms representing the four directions, holding attributes such as a *kamandalu* (water pot), a sacrificial ladle (*shruk*), a rosary (*akshamala*), and a lotus. The text references various mythological texts, including the Matsya-purana, Sarada-tilaka, Vishnu-purana, and Vaikhananasa-pratisthanukramanika, to support these iconographic conventions. The main focus is on the Brahma image itself, which is displayed in the Madhuri Desai Gallery. The author argues that this unique Chola-period artwork exhibits a strong stylistic affinity with famous Chola bronze images, representing a consummate apotheosis of static serenity and dignity. The image is described as having three visible faces, four hands, and specific mudras, including *abhaya* and *katyavalambita*, though one front hand is damaged. The physical description covers the deity's elaborate *jata-mukuta* (matted hair crown) featuring a prominent moon, a continuous sacred thread (*yajnopavita*) touching the *udarabandha* (waist band), simple floral necklaces, circular wrist ornaments (*kankanas*), *makara*-shaped earrings, and a stylized *katisutra* (waist band) with a lion clasp. The article concludes by referencing five scholarly sources, including works by Balasubramanium, Gangoly, Gupte, Ramachandra Rao, and Sivararamamurti, to support the iconographic analysis.
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Conclusion
The Brahma image from the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum represents a unique and consummate example of Chola period bronze artistry, distinguished by its static serenity, profound facial expressions, and strong stylistic affinity with famous Chola bronzes. Its iconographic details align with traditional Hindu mythology while showcasing the dynamic artistic development of the Chola era. The sculpture's specific attributes, including its three visible faces, four arms, distinctive jatd-mukata, and elaborate ornamentation such as the yajfiopavita and udharabandha, reflect the high level of technical mastery and religious devotion characteristic of the period. This artifact significantly contributes to the understanding of Chola artistic conventions and iconography, enriching the cultural heritage preserved by the L.D. Institute of Indology.