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Swamimalai Bronze Icons is a bronze idol and statue manufactured in swamimalai, Tanjore district, tamil nadu. This has been recognized by the India government and provides the geographical Indication tag for bronze icons. In the chola dynasty, The great king Raja Raja Cholan formed the committee to do this bronze icon for the Brihadeeswarar Temple. The sculptures are called as sthapathi, a community of artisans doin this sculpture works. This is the cultural significance of wax technique.
For over four centuries, the Chola dynasty ruled over the Deccan. These monarchs were ardent supporters of the arts and crafts and had a major role in establishing a sanctuary for sculptors, painters, and architects. Carpenters, sculptors, goldsmiths, stonemasons, and other craftspeople from all over the nation came to Swamimalai in the Thanjavur district to work on their temples. The sthapati started creating bronze statues after learning about the intricate process involved in creating metal monuments. The present community derives its lineage from Agora Veerapathira Sthapathy, and currently, over three hundred families are involved in the bronze casting industry for statues.
The measurements are taken and marked using coconut tree leaves. The special measurements are very specific.. Making the wax model in accordance with the dimensions specified in the Agama Shastra is the first step in the casting process every time. The actual wax is a blend of groundnut oil, resin, and beeswax. After the wax model has dried, the statue is covered with a layer of loam or alluvial soil and allowed to dry again. Afterwards, the statue has holes bored at key locations to allow molten metal to be poured into them, allowing the melting wax and its vapors to escape.
After it cools, a second layer of sand and clay is added, and it is sun-dried for a few days. In order to prevent breakage when the mould is burned to melt the wax that collects as it exits the mould, metal wires have been used to bind it. After this is done, the holes that were made earlier in the procedure are used to pour the bronze into the mould. When the mould is still hot from the wax-losing process, the metal is poured into it; otherwise, the metal’s heat will cause the cool mould to shatter. After the statue cools, the mould is cracked, the details are chiselled in, and emery paper is used to polish it to a brilliant brilliance.
Traditionally, the statues were religious, representing Hindu gods and other deities. But this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down because people are still in high demand for culturally significant sculptures, particularly those with ties to mythology like those of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Swamimalai craftspeople may now rest easy knowing that their products are authentic, thanks to the GI Tag. This is especially true for people who wish to bring an authentic Indian craft with them when they move away from India.
The study of religious image symbolism is known as iconology. Knowing the meaning of the Swamimalai bronze icons brings us one step closer to comprehending their spiritual message and history, since they portray various deities in varying postures and settings.
