Cultural advice

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that ANU Library collections may include images, names, voices, and other representations of deceased persons.

Material in the collection may contain terms, language or views that reflect the period in which the item was created and may be considered inappropriate today.

Gandharva standing beneath a flowering tree. Kesari style

Date

Authors

Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Description

Gandharva is the generalized name applied to all the heavenly inhabitants of the realm of the gods who are not themselves important deities of any particular function. Like the many manifestations of the mother goddess in the form of Siva's wife or any of the other saktis of the major gods, Gandharva has many names and many aspects. Here, he stands beneath a flowering tree and holds a staff-like object similar to that held by the goddess Durga in slide 13 (b). A gentle nature pervades this figure as it does most of the temple sculptures dealing with heavenly beings, particularly when they are suggestive of the beauties of heavenly existence. Handling is more precise in the Kesari sculptures than in those of the Rajput states, movement more graceful. -- . About 11th Century. London, Victoria & Albert Museum.

Citation

Source

Type

Archives Series

Basham Collection

Date created

circa 1970s

Access Statement

License Rights

This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.

DOI

Restricted until

Downloads