Kumbakonam Trip: Stop 1 : Swamimalai bronze casting unit: This is what appears to be a small shop from the outside, but is actually a long studio. This is the Devasena sthapathi sons bronze casting unit. One of the oldest in the region, with a history of over 60 years of casting. Their books for proportion of the statues and methods of casting are the traditional ones. sizes and lengths are measured in morzams, with men slightly larger than women. (Note this: it matters later.)
The entire bronze casting process, through the 'lost wax' process, takes place here. The process goes: First a mould is made in clay. Then a mould of that in wax. This mould is then covered by mud, and heated. Hot metal is then poured into the hollow created in the mud when the wax melts, through a hole, and a statue is gained. A process of nearly 2 weeks, which can extend upto 2 months, depending on the size and shape asked for.
When the final piece has been cast, it is then polished and smoothened.
We saw some statues of Gods, Ambedkar, Kalam, Buddha and some commissioned pieces of Gods and Men.
Here, Pradeep Chakravarthy spoke about how this process has been mentioned even in the Vedas, and how Gold and Bronze have been mentioned, but not iron, which is very strange, for how did they not have iron?Originally, idols used to be small, and in people's houses. Then, as the Pallavas and Cholas came around, they started associating themselves with Gods.(Kovil actually translates to house of the king). Idols then started becoming massive, and processions began, and as the association between the king and the god grew, so did his power.
The entire bronze casting process, through the 'lost wax' process, takes place here. The process goes: First a mould is made in clay. Then a mould of that in wax. This mould is then covered by mud, and heated. Hot metal is then poured into the hollow created in the mud when the wax melts, through a hole, and a statue is gained. A process of nearly 2 weeks, which can extend upto 2 months, depending on the size and shape asked for.
When the final piece has been cast, it is then polished and smoothened.
We saw some statues of Gods, Ambedkar, Kalam, Buddha and some commissioned pieces of Gods and Men.
Here, Pradeep Chakravarthy spoke about how this process has been mentioned even in the Vedas, and how Gold and Bronze have been mentioned, but not iron, which is very strange, for how did they not have iron?Originally, idols used to be small, and in people's houses. Then, as the Pallavas and Cholas came around, they started associating themselves with Gods.(Kovil actually translates to house of the king). Idols then started becoming massive, and processions began, and as the association between the king and the god grew, so did his power.
Temples also had to be seen as rich, as they carried all the religious activities of the people, along with every other social activity, so they bedecked their idols when taken on processions, so that the common man got a sense of the wealth of the temple.
Even now, some families have their household deities from the Pallava times.
Even now, some families have their household deities from the Pallava times.
We had our look around, sketches were made, photos taken, and then we left.
As we walked back to the bus, I noticed some interesting faces on a thinnai nearby and clicked them. Wonder if anyone can explain these faces?
As we walked back to the bus, I noticed some interesting faces on a thinnai nearby and clicked them. Wonder if anyone can explain these faces?
Our next stop was the Nageswaraswamy temple, in the heart of Kumbakonam.
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