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The
Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad has a few very fine sculptures of Garuda.
They are in stone, metal, ivory and wood. The miniature bronze
sculpture belongs to Chalukya (10th century A.D.), while the stone and wood
images of this demigod, belong 18th century AD. These carvings are on
display in the Indian art Galleries, i.e. room No.3, 3A and 4
respectively. An ivory sculpture of Garuda (early 20th century AD) is
on display in Room No. 14 (Ivory Gallery). Garuda
with Vishnu and Lakshmi (bronze) This
is a bronze sculpture (height 16.5 cm, width 9.1 cm.) in which a miniature
two handed standing Garuda with wings open is seen opposite to the figure
(probably) of Sri Lakshmi, who holds a flower in her hand, near the left
foot of Sri Vishnu, the main image, in the middle. Garuda
is seen standing as dwibhanga with frontal view and his hands dangling
down. The image of Garuda in front of Lord Vishnu depicts the
submissive nature of Garuda who is ready to serve to the God. This piece
might have belonged to a temple used as Utsavavigraham (uninstalled idol
used during festivals). Standing Garuda
(granite) This `Standing Garuda' is a
Brahmini kite with powerful open wings. As an attendant and devotee of
Lord Vishnu, he serves as his vehicle. The head is that of a mythical
bird and the lower part of the body is human-like. The image has two
hands, which depict an `anjalimudra'. The nose is long and raised and
pointed. The beak of the image is slightly damaged. The sacred
iconographical marks of Lord Vishnu such as discus, conch etc. are seen on
the top of the `prabhavali on either side of the image of Garuda in relief
work. He wears kritamakuta, (crown),
beaded ornaments like earlobes, kanthahara, hara, bhujavalayas,
keyuras,
waist-band, padasuras, a belt like pattern hanging down from hands, anklets
etc. Standing in `samabhanga', the image has an expression of
adoration. The sculpture measures 70X33 cm. The style belongs to South
India, probably Andhra Pradesh and it reveals the influence of Vijayanagara
art. Kneeling Garuda (Wood) The
wood carving is Garuda on a rectangular pedestal depicts him in kneeling
posture i.e. Garudaasanga, with left knee on the ground and the right
leg half bent with feet resting on the ground. The front of the image
from forehead to the waist level has bronze cover. This remarkable
piece is decked with ornaments in relief work.
The Vaishnavite symbol `namamu' is
also seen on his forehead clearly. There is a wheel (chakra)
design on the centre of his body. Two small bulbous rounds on the
bronze cover are seen at its bottom end. His hands are raised upward
as if in prayer. His powerful wings are seen open. It is also said
that `his half raised hands kept open, facing to sky', are to bear the feet
of his god, Vishnu when he sits on his shoulders while riding. The
central `pathka' with flutters has a design of mukhasimha' in the
middle, which is prominently carved. At least three wooden parts have
been joined besides metal cover in the image. The body, except wings
and bronze cover, is probably made in one piece of raw-wood and has several
bends. His long and powerful wings are fixed at the back with screws.
This sculpture, measuring 162 cm. in height and about 112 cm in width, is
datable to late 18th century A.D. The technique of combination of
metal and wood denote the remarkable workmanship of the artist. The
piece is disintegrating at places, mainly at the right ear.
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Garudavahana
Vishnu with Consorts (ivory) This
image has Lord Vishnu seated on Garudavahana with his forehands
embracing Sridevi and Bhudevi. The rear hands of the Lord hold chakra
and sanka in the right and left respectively. The prabhavali
rises on a stepped pedestal on the back serving as a frame to all the three
divine figures and Garuda. The
top of the prabhavali has a `kirtimukha with its teeth laid
bear along with scroll work. The hips of the goddesses rest on the
wings of the Garuda with their legs dangling down Garuda,
completely in the form of a bird, is perched on a pedestal. The
sculpture in 13.6 cm. in height belongs to early 20th century A.D. It is the
creation of traditional ivory carvers in Andhra Pradesh. They are a lost
tribe of artistes now because of the ban imposed by the government on ivory
trade. (The author works in the
Museum)
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