Dr.R.Nagaswamy
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A bronze image of Rati
This bronze image is in the collection of Sarabai Museum, Ahamedabad. Whom does it represent?
A large number of halls (mandapas) were built in the temple premises during the Vijayanagar period. The hundred pillared mandapas in the Varadaraja temple of Kanchipuram and the Jvaraharesvara temple of Vellore in Tamilnad are such remarkable mandapas. Among many sculptures prominantly portrayed on the pillars are the images of Manmatha and his beautiful wife Rati. Manmatha is shown riding on a leogrif and holding a sugar cane bow while Rati is portrayed on a parrot also holding bow and arrow. That they represent Manmatha and Rati is made explicit by the sugarcane bow and floral arrows described in Indian poetry. This representation is also seen in paintings both on walls and paper. In paintings they are portrayed riding either parrots, peacock, horse or elephant formed by seven, nine or more beautiful girls
The portrayal goes with the Romantic atmosphere of the period in which there were large number of dancers, particularly girls attached to the temples and courts. It is known from the writings of foreign visitors to the court of the great Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadeva raya, that the king himself supervised the training of dancers in a special hall of the palace. There were stone sculptures of girls in different dancing poses for the dancers to see and learn. There was also an image of Natyadhi devata, Goddess of dance which was worshipped daily by the dancing girls.
This bronze image of Rati is the only image in bronze known so far. That it is a Vijayanagara image assignable to the 16th cent. is seen from the style of its portrayal. It resembles very much the Rati sculptures in the pillared halls. Rati is here dressed in the costume of a huntress and wears long pyjamas extending to her ankles. She is shown with slender waist and bulging breasts covered with well knit bra. The ear ornaments are broad and circular. At the back she wears a well combed pigtail decorated with jewels. A prominent tilaka is seen on her forehead. The charming lady is in the pose of holding a bow and arrow. It is not known whether the bronze was in a royal house hold or temple.
It may also be mentioned that during the 16 th cent Kura-vanci form of dance became very popular. Many mandapas of the period also portray Kuratti (nomadic huntresses )dancers figured in sculptures. The present image of Rati is a rare and interesting image that deserves notice.