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Seated Gaṇeśa idol

 
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Title
Seated Gaṇeśa idol
Description
A cast metal figure of Gaṇeśa adorned with head ornaments and seated on a pyramidal platform under a circle of flames.
Format Extent
1 metal sculpture; 5.39 x 4.76 cm (2 1/8 x 1 7/8 in)
Subject
Gaṇeśa (Hindu deity); Hinduism--India; Metal-work; Nationalism--India--History
Note
Gaṇeśa is the elephant-headed god, also known as the remover of obstacles, and is the god of beginnings. Considered to be the "Lord of the People," sculptures of Gaṇeśa were popular with Indian nationalists fighting against British colonialism. In the late 19th century, the Gaṇeśa Chaturthi festival in Pune was popularized during which devotees would process with and finally submerge idols of Gaṇeśa to bring prosperity. This was in defiance of British bans on public assembly which offered an exception made for Muslim Friday mosque prayers. Gathering for this Hindu religious festival became a political rally and Gaṇeśa, a symbol of political resistance and the restoration of swarāj, self-rule or independence.
Collection
Jim and Jeanne Pieper Collection, AR-010, A732
Donor
Jim and Jeanne Pieper
Type
Keywords
Geographic Location
Pune (Maharashtra, India)
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