Religious Themes in Tribal Stone Sculptures

Religious themes in tribal stone sculptures were frequently used. Use of religious themes in these stone sculptures reveals that the tribes by nature are pious.

Religious Themes in Tribal Stone SculpturesThe religious themes in tribal stone sculptures include statues of the Hindu gods and goddesses and many abstract deities. Description and selection is made only with those sculptures which were recognised and described by the local people. Images of Lord Hanuman, Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha were the popular tribal stone sculptures. Tribes have also been influenced of the communities who lived around them.

The cult of Hanuman is very popular among many tribes. This image is generally shown holding a mace in his hand. He is also depicted with tail. There are few sculptures kept under a Peepal tree. In such a sculpture Hanuman is shown from the front, the entire body is heavy but the legs shown are very tiny. Face also does not resemble a monkey. The depiction of mace in his left hand is shown horizontal on the abdomen. The tail is shown at the right side. Besides these there are many other sculptures of Lord Hanuman.

The image of Goddess Durga is always depicted with four hands, holding sword, spear in her hands, some holding a skull in her hand. She is shown seated upon a lion. There are many Durga sculptures which are kept in museum that bear tribal impact. At the base of the sculpture five Ganas are shown standing in a row. There are many other sculptures of Goddess Durga which have been made with slight variations.

The impact of tribal art is visible on the images of Lord Ganesha too. Images of Ganesh are bigger in size than the common sculptures found. Some of these do have primitive characteristics. The right hand of Ganesh is shown expressionless. The base is divided in two parts; at right in a smaller space one rat is shown standing in profile. On the left side two human forms are standing raising their hands. In some sculptures vermilion colour is used. Some statues have Ganesha wearing a crown on his head.

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