hinduism

Sitting above a lotus, the Hindu god Ganesha is realized against a majestic corona. In two hands he holds weapons, and in his other two he displays a symbol of peace and holds a bowl of his favorite dessert. Balinese artisan Desak Nyoman Parwati realizes this vibrant composition on rayon using the batik wax dyeing technique.

Seated on a tiger, Shiva lifts a hand in blessing. Regarded as the celestial overlord of deliverance through destruction, Shiva has his customary trident by his side as a show of divinity. The hissing cobra that slithers around his head symbolizes his potent divine destructivity, and his matted hair is thought to contain the flow of the Ganges River. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. Unaffected by the whims of the world, he is innocent and guileless, pure of mind and heart. He does not adorn his body with jewels or flowers — he mats his hair and dresses in animal hide.

Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa is a master of the batik technique, sketching the figures by hand and applying the wax resist freehand, which requires great skill. A different dye bath is required for each separate color in his elegant and complex batik "painting."

Enchanted by the beauty of Sita, the evil king Rawana wants her as his concubine. He sends one of his knights to tempt her by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captured by her curiosity, asks her husband to catch the golden deer. Thus begins one of the many trials that beset the noble Rama - though happily, love will ultimately prevail. The story comes from the Sanskrit Ramayana, or "Romance of Rama," the Hindu epic poem. Gusti Made Sujana uses batik to depict Rama and Rawana with the deer.

Send yourself into a tranquil dream with this mesmerizing wall hanging from Bali. Desak Nyoman Parwati designs this wall hanging, crafted of rayon and decorated with the batik wax dyeing technique to depict the om symbol within a colorful mandala. The design is realized against yellow on black.

This fascinating wall mask portrays the revered Hindu goddess Sita, who stands as the central female figure in the ancient epic, the Ramayana, and is the consort of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu. Through the intricate technique of batik, where wax-resist dyeing is employed, the exquisite mask by Javanese artisan Gunadi comes to life on a canvas of black wadang wood beautifully adorned with a mesmerizing interplay of vibrant motifs and colors.

Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, embodied reason and virtue throughout his adventures on Earth. Challenged with unexpected tragedies and moral dilemmas, the deity remained righteous and wise, receiving the title of Ideal Man. Inspired by the divinity's story, Javanese artisan Gunadi handcrafts a pule wood mask with intricate motifs made using batik techniques, all honoring the charming image of Rama. As a mystic touch, the artisan adds a bird-themed crown to the piece, symbolizing the sacred circle of life and death.