13. Ganesha : Art by Paromita

Om vakra tunda mahakaya, surya koti samaprada, nirvighnam kuru may deva sarva karye su sarvada

Ganesha, the benevolent elephant headed God, is adored by all Hindus. In fact no ritual to any other god can be undertaken before appeasing Ganesha. This was a boon that Shiva granted Parvati when she saw in horror that her beloved son had been bestowed the head of an elephant (long story that).

Ganesha is mostly seen with his right hand raised in benediction and the left holding some sweets, called ‘modak’ or ‘laddoos’. His other hands, (gods are shown having numerous limbs to differentiate them from humans. They are more an indication of their prowess and powers rather than physical hands), variously hold a ‘Chakra’ (ancient weapon used to throw and slice the enemy’s neck) and ‘Shankh’, (conch shell used as a trumpet on the battle field). 

 All Hindu Gods have a favourite ‘ride’, mostly an animal or bird. The people revere the animal the god rides almost as much as the god. Thus owls, swans, tigers and in the case of Ganesha the mouse are animals held in reverence by the worshipers of Laxmi, Saraswati, Durga and Ganpati.

The mural at the top of the page is with acrylic paint. In the first painting above, the artist has maintained half circular movements like the half moon over the god's forehead and in the second painting she has tried to make it look like an idol made of silver.

Here a black and white Ganpati has been made in a statue form.

Three views of the same statue

A mural like effect with paint and sequins

The same picture different treatment- one in warm shades the other in pastel colours

Here's a digital art Ganesha. Made on the computer.

                                      

                                                            

                                  Astract Acrylic on canvas