The land by the riverside of Sindh or Indu, is where the earliest civilization had reaped its seed. And out of it has grown a dharma, timeless and beyond human history. According to this dharma, the Purusartha, that is the aim of human life, constitutes of Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity), Kama (passion) and Moksha (salvation).
Today, I will touch that hidden treasure called Tantra lost in the darkness of human civilization.
Etymology: Because it elaborates (tan) copious and profound matters, especially relating to the principles of reality (tattva) and sacred mantras, and because it provides liberation (tra), it is called a tantra.
An attempt to illuminate through my works which illustrates how Kama can lead to Moksha.
The Encounter with the Yogi:
“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.” -Vincent Van Gogh
This is what happened with this piece of art and let me help you in understanding the painting smeared with my dream. The yogi is dancing in ecstasy with his phallus erected towards heaven signifying enlightenment. The Linga provides a hint to this concept. The Devi is has reached the blissful state. The serpent signifies the Kundalini which has been awakened and is twirling around the two separate bodies.
The Tantric Embrace:
This sculpture is inspired by the carving of the Khajuraho temple based upon the theme of KamaSutra. This is an ancient text based on the art of love, the preparation of body, the union of spirit (Purush) and nature (Prakriti). The sculptures draped in the finest fabric are meant not to subdue but to enhance the sensuality of the human body- be it the hair, neck, breasts, hip or shoulders.
Ardhanareshwar:
Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe (Purusha and Prakriti) and illustrates how Shakti, the female God, is inseparable from Shiva, the male God. The union of these deities is hailed as the root and womb of all creation. The union of Purusha (Shiva) and Prikriti (Shiva’s energy, Shakti) generates the universe, an idea also manifested in the union of the Linga of Shiva and Yoni of Devi creating the cosmos.
Basically the first artwork depicts the female soul waiting, yearning to meet the God. She has unraveled her hair, stretched out her body and is lost in her deep intimacy, to awaken her soul. The next sculpture depict the couple in lotus pose embracing each other , which forms the basic of Hindu principle , dissolution of the nature with the cosmos. The last form is the emerging of the duality in existence into one entity.
With Love & Life,
RK
Engineer by education, Analyst by profession, Artist by passion and a Dreamer by intention.