19'' Lord Hanuman in Namaskar Mudra | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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This ‘panchaloha’ bronze image of one of the Chiranjivi of Hinduism, the divine ‘vanara’ or monkey, and companion of Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana – Hanuman’s sculpture presented here remains highly unique in the manner of its depiction, as we shall note below. Cast in the lost wax ‘madhuchista vidhana’ technique, the anthropomorphic image of the god stands erect in the ‘anjali mudra’ with a namaste towards the viewer, on top of a raised lotus plinth. Only identifiable by his face and tail, the monkey god is draped in a long dhoti that is held by an elaborate girdle with two tassels and wears an imposing ‘mukuta’ on his head. What is of note is the fact that the ‘sthapati’ that created this image did not endow Hanuman with his usual attributes – neither is he shown in companionship with Rama and Sita, kneeling in reverence at their feet, nor is he shown carrying his infamous mace or ‘gada,’ or in some depictions, a thunderbolt or ‘vajra.’ Another famous iconic depiction of Hanuman that is absent here is him presenting an open chest, revealing the presence of Rama and Sita symbolically in his heart. In one manner therefore, this representation of Hanuman is a nod to the obeisance that he provides towards Rama – not catering to his own God persona but being a humble personage in the larger entourage of the Lord he has sworn to protect with his life, therefore allowing a relative uncommon attribute to this bronze work (a similarly unique variation can be accessed here, with the ‘Panchamukha’ icon).