Gommateshvara Commemoration Volume

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

Page 51

Gommatesvara Commemoration Volume
As one gets along to the top of the mountain and sees the whole marvellous statue face to face, one is struck with wonder but not with terror as to how a human artist could at all chisel such a splendid statue with his human tools. Even a cynic would feel ashamed of being dwarfed in the holy presence of this tall and majestic statue. The statue, an embodiment of Universal love and benevolence, would even transform the heart of the worst iconoclast i. e., hater and breaker of idols, if the latter were just to go round the statue to observe its amazing gaze for revealing the hidden divine power in it. Any impartial artist or sculptor on seeing this statue, would only be left to say that the artist of this statue has really broken the mould for future generation of artists.
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The face is the most important part of a human frame. Face is said to be an index to the mind. It is the real fortune or earthly wealth of a human being. Sculptor-artist of this statue has understood this phenomena very well, as he has chiselled the different parts of the face with perfect proportion, the round head. with attractive curly hair, straight nose as if meant to inhale the odour of good things and exhale the smell of bad things of the world; smart shining eyes, which may pierce into your heart to read your mind and thoughts, keen ears ready to hear not merely his glories sung but also the grievances of the suffering ignorant masses with equanimity; lips exhibiting a delicate sweet, soft smile but not laughter, the sweet smile, like a cluster of beautiful blooming flowers, conveying different meanings and messages to different observers. The statue faces North, and this direction, according to some writers, is interpreted to mean that the statue is gazing to the north as if Bahubali wants to talk to his father Adinatha, who attained final salvation from the Kailas mountain in the Himalayas situated to the extreme North of India.
Divine Unparalleled skill of the Sculptor-artist:
Like music, painting, and poetry, sculpture is also an art. If good music pleases our ears, good painting speaks to our eye, good poetry or sculpture would appeal to our heart and soul, sculpture is said to be music or melody in stone for arousing our inner vision. It is said and said rightly that a real artist is sacrificed to his art. In achieving an artistic perfection an ideal artist merges himself in the subject matter of his art by becoming one with his art in hand. A real and inspired artist is said to breathe life into his creation and himself to live therein unseen. In the instant case, if Lord Bähubali, in order to become immortal by attaining spiritual liberation, sacrificed his royal pomp and glory as a mere trash, the sculptor of his statue has also become immortal and lives in the form of his art by sacrificing his very precious life-blood for completion of the divine statue.
Is it not an irony that such a gifted and dedicated artist-probably inspired by Lord Bahubali himself, to leave an artistic legacy to succeeding generations, should go unrecorded in history leaving his patron Camundaraya to enjoy the