https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit A virtual art exhibition curated by Jerael Alpino and Gab Silos en-us 2022-05-30 12:17:48 UTC 2026-03-18 11:17:54 UTC hello@padlet.com gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204607233 2022-05-30 12:19:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204607233 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204608301 2022-05-30 12:20:35 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204608301 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204610906 Chauri Bearer (Didarganj Yakshi)
Eastern India (Bihar), 2nd century
Polished Chunar sandstone, 5'2" (height), 1'7 1/2" (pedestal)
© Bihar Museum


The yakshi are a type of spirit in Hindu and Buddhist mythology under the domain of nature. Holding a chauri (decorative fan) in her right hand, the yakshi stands as an early conceptualization of ideal female beauty. This is seen in the details of the sculpting—the symmetry of her figure, the delicate folds of her skin, and the elegance of her garments and jewelry. The technical skill of the early Indian sculptor similarly can be seen in the semi-transparent quality of the yakshi’s garments.]]> 2022-05-30 12:23:14 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204610906 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204662946 2022-05-30 13:14:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204662946 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204695311 2022-05-30 13:44:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204695311 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204701707 2022-05-30 13:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204701707 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204703300 Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
Southern India (Tamil Nadu), ca. 11th century
Copper alloy, 26 1/8" (height), 22 1/4" (diameter)
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


The Shiva Nataraja is a recurring symbol in Hindu culture, serving to depict the divine in a physical manifestation of beauty. Posed in the middle of a dance and surrounded by a flaming halo, Shiva is depicted along with his various symbols that point to his diverse roles in Hindu cosmology. Though iterations of the Nataraja vary, the most common element is the body of Shiva in dynamic motion, his hair fanning out to frame his face. The creature he treads on is a symbol of malicious illusions, granting Shiva an air of wisdom and erudition. Through depiction in a physical form, the body is used not only as a work of art, but as a means to convey divinity, philosophical and spiritual belief, and a rich tradition of storytelling and narrative through visual symbols that is distinctive of Indian sensibilities.]]> 2022-05-30 13:51:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204703300 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204704931 2022-05-30 13:53:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204704931 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204716326 2022-05-30 14:03:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204716326 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204719259 2022-05-30 14:06:28 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204719259 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204723602 Celestial dancer (Devata)
Central India (Madhya Pradesh), ca. mid-11th century
Sandstone, 34 3/4" × 20", 12 1/2" (diameter)
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


As a type of deva or deity, the Celestial dancer evokes the image of a heavenly being, serene and graceful as they carry out their dance. Her contorted pose reflects ancient Indian scripts on performance. This is indicative of the philosophy of dance as a sacred art and the body as its instrument, allowing the dancer to be in harmony with the rest of the universe.]]> 2022-05-30 14:10:38 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204723602 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204725884 2022-05-30 14:12:39 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204725884 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204726864 Shiva and Parvati
Southern India (Tamil Nadu), ca. 950–960
Bronze, 8 1/2" × 31 5/16" × 9 13/16" (base), 32 1/4" × 19 3/16" (Shiva), 25 5/8" × 6 1/2" (Parvati)
© The Cleveland Museum of Art


The bronze sculptures of the Chola period are most known for their lithe forms, especially that of Shiva. Often depicted together, Shiva and Parvati here convey a sense of divine grace, with Shiva’s many-armed form and various symbols representing his role in Hindu mythology, and Parvati as his consort, embodying the maternal goddess archetype. They are posed in a relaxed stance, emphasizing the clear lines of their bodies. As divine figures, their portrayal in a physical body points to an ideal of beauty, their serenity and elegance distinct from that of worldly beings.]]> 2022-05-30 14:13:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204726864 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204727692 Shiva Shambho: Bharatanatyam Dance
Swathi Jaisankar, Isha Parupudi, Sophia Salingaros, 2017
Performance, 3:55
© IndianRaga


The Bharatanatyam dance is often regarded as the oldest Indian classical dance, and highly influential in the development of many succeeding forms. It is primarily based on the Natya Shastra, a foundational Hindu text outlining religious and spiritual beliefs in line with performance and aesthetics. Known for its graceful and emotive movements, many of its gestures reflect ideas present in classical theories of Indian dance. It is often performed by a group of women, in connection to its history with the Devadasis, who were female temple dancers dedicated to a single deity, and used performance as their means of worship.]]> 2022-05-30 14:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204727692 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204728262 2022-05-30 14:14:51 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204728262 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204729880 Dancing Ganesha
Central India (Madhya Pradesh), 10th century
Mottled red sandstone, 36" × 20"
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


The body in Indian arts and culture is not only limited to that of humanoids, but is frequently examined using that of animals as well. The most clear depictions of this are through the deities Ganesha and Hanuman, who possess body parts of an elephant and monkey respectively. Here, Ganesha is depicted in a blissful dance, adorned with his various symbols. The inclusion of animal bodies in spiritual belief is indicative of the Hindu sensibility of oneness with all things in the universe, as well as connection with different aspects of creation.]]> 2022-05-30 14:16:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204729880 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204730898 2022-05-30 14:17:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204730898 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204732346 2022-05-30 14:18:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204732346 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204737897 Rasa Lila (Manipuri Dance)
2016
Performance, 16:20
© WildFilmsIndia.


Among one of the most performed classical dances in India, the Rasa Lila is often danced as a devotional performance in honor and portrayal of Vishnu, specifically his avatar Krishna. The narrative of the dance depicts the story of Krishna and Radha, his consort, in which they dance together as a symbol of their sacred love, surrounded by the gopis, or those devoted to Krishna. Its name is derived from the terms rasa, denoting the notion of Indian aesthetics, and lila, meaning “play” or “drama.” Thus, the dance is known as a dance-drama of divine love, as it portrays a classic Indian story of devotion. The section of the dance depicted shows Krishna arriving at the sacred grove, as Radha and the gopis join after hearing his music. Though the dance very much embodies the rasa of love because of its narrative, the aspect of comic laughter (हास्यं) is seen here as well—in the union of Shiva, Radha, and the gopis in the sacred dance, they carry a sense of bliss and merriment in each other’s company.]]> 2022-05-30 14:23:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204737897 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204739187 2022-05-30 14:24:40 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204739187 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204740645 2022-05-30 14:25:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2204740645 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205092880 2022-05-30 21:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205092880 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205093597 2022-05-30 22:00:51 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205093597 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205093980 Lovers (Mithuna)
Central India (Khajuraho), 11th century
Sandstone, 29 1/8"
© The Cleveland Museum of Art


Depicted in a sensual embrace, the two lovers embody the Indian concept of mithuna, or the depiction of sexual intercourse in line with the spiritual philosophy of Hinduism. Sculptures of this nature are most well-known at the Khajuraho temples. In line with the rasa of erotic love (शृङ्गारः), its focal point is the act of sexual intercourse as a harmonic union and the body as an agent for spiritual liberation.]]> 2022-05-30 22:01:42 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205093980 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205094219 Krishna Killing the Horse Demon Keshi
India (Uttar Pradesh), 5th century
Terracotta, 21" × 16", 4 1/4" (diameter)
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


In this graphic relief, Krishna the warrior-king, a famous incarnation of the god Vishnu, defeats the demon Keshi, who is depicted as deceitful in the form of a horse. Beneath the clashing subjects is the same horse, discharging lumps of manure at the moment of death. The depiction likely finds its roots in Hellenistic mythology and draws attention to the significance of horse sacrifices in the practices of Vedic cults in India. Especially notable is Krishna’s expression, a stark depiction of fury (रौद्रं) as compared to the more serene features of other works. It is this rage that brings out the grief (कारुण्यं) of impending death in Keshi, and this aesthetic emotion is seen as well in the clear depiction of the dead horse.]]> 2022-05-30 22:02:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205094219 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205094683 2022-05-30 22:03:11 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205094683 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205095183 2022-05-30 22:04:07 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205095183 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205095756 2022-05-30 22:05:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205095756 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096166 2022-05-30 22:06:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096166 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096394 Ardhanarishvara
Southeastern India (Rajasthan), 6th century
Stone
© Jhalawar Government Museum


The diverse nature of the symbolic meaning that the body represents in Indian art is perhaps most felt in the Ardhanarishvara, which is a composite male-female figure of Shiva and his consort, Parvati. The union of the male and female in this manner is symbolic of the power present in the harmony of the universe, evoking a sense of wonder (अद्भुतं) for the ways of the world and the manner in which supposed opposites are drawn together.]]> 2022-05-30 22:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096394 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096828 2022-05-30 22:07:37 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205096828 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205097252 Chamunda, the Horrific Destroyer of Evil
India, 10th–11th century
Sandstone, 44 1/2"
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Chamunda is a menacing avatar of the goddess Kali, most known for her decapitation of the demons Chanda and Munda. Her domain is that of war, disease, famine, and disasters, and she is often depicted alongside symbols of death and fear, seen here in the skulls around her headpiece and sunken features. Though fearsome in its depiction, such sculptures remain part of the devotional works of Indian culture and exemplify the power and individual natures of their various deities. The rasas of revulsion (बीभत्सं) in the decayed form of Chamunda and fear (भयानकं) for the themes she embodies add to the potency of her power, as well as that of the other goddesses she is often associated with.]]> 2022-05-30 22:08:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205097252 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205097763 2022-05-30 22:09:40 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205097763 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205098683 2022-05-30 22:11:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205098683 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205098898 The Goddess Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon (Mahishasuramardini)
India (Bhubaneshwar), ca. 8th century
Sandstone, 27 1/4" × 16 7/8" × 9 1/2"
© Philadelphia Museum of Art


Durga is one of the most revered Indian deities and famous for her slaying of the deceitful demon Mahishasura. In this way, her many-armed manifestation, representing her divine wrath as both a mother and warrior goddess, is contrasted with the evil of the shape-shifting demon. Depicted here with the air of divine benevolence and the strength of her seven arms, each holding icons denoting an aspect of her power, she embodies the rasas of heroic spirit (वीरं) and wonder (अद्भुतं).]]> 2022-05-30 22:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205098898 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099366 2022-05-30 22:12:59 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099366 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099738 Discovering Devi: ‘Impressions of the Observer’
The Raadha Kalpa Dance Company, 2021
Performance, 13:43
© Raadhakalpa Dance Company


Devi is the Sanskrit word for “goddess,” and is often used in reference to the different female deities of the Hindu pantheon. The term is also used to refer to the primary mother goddess first worshiped in the Prehistoric era of India. Though she is a maternal figure, she is also prominent alongside themes of war, resulting in two sides to representations—that of Uma, the benevolent, and Durga, the terrible. In line with this, the dance in this clip is part of a larger project by Raadha Kalpa Dance Company examining the perspectives of performer and audience alike, accompanied by a series of photographs taken throughout their tour. By embodying Devi and the duality of her representations, the performer expresses a similar duality between performer and viewer.]]> 2022-05-30 22:13:49 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099738 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099924 2022-05-30 22:14:12 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205099924 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205100479 2022-05-30 22:15:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205100479 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102123 2022-05-30 22:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102123 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102270 Bust Relief
Ravinder Reddy, 2011
Bronze, 15 3/4" × 20 1/4" × 4"
© Artsy/1x1 Art Gallery


Infusing elements from Pop Art portraits, religious motifs, and conventional depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses, Reddy celebrates the universality of the female figure. Evident through the use of glaring colors and features reminiscent in traditional Indian sculpture are fascination in the form of the feminine body and the local context to which the artist is rooted.]]> 2022-05-30 22:18:31 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102270 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102620 2022-05-30 22:19:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205102620 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103414 Ephemera
K. S. Radhakarishnan, 2019
Bronze, 16" × 14"
© Exhibited at the Art Multi-disciplines Gallery (Kolkata). 


Much of Radhakrishnan’s body of work uses lithe, expressive figures as their subjects. Seen here, masses of genderless figures group together towards a glowing lamp as their boats rock against a metal slope, conveying ideas on migration, loss, and crisis within a punishing world. The transient nature of ephemera is echoed in the dim glow of the lamp, a symbol of small hope for the mass of tiny figures. Graceful bodies depicted in the middle of kinetic motion posed as if in a dance is a frequent motif of his work, and the body is thus used as a means of conveying the human condition in relation to the world.]]> 2022-05-30 22:20:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103414 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103697 2022-05-30 22:20:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103697 gabsilos https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103936 2022-05-30 22:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gabsilos/RasaExhibit/wish/2205103936