Seated Shiva-Parvati with Ganesha and Kartikeya

This enormous three-dimensional painting depicts Shiva and Parvati seated on a throne flanked by Ganesha and Kartikeya, their sons. Parvati is sitting on Shiva's lap while Shiva himself sits in lalitasana (royal ease) making varada and abhaya hasta (gestures of benevolence and fearlessness) with his front arms and holding damaru (drum) and deer in the rear. Cat's eye has been used for the eyes of all four deities, giving them a fascinating realism. The most impressive part of this painting is its frame, which makes it appear like an architectural element originally placed in a masonry wall. Shiva is one the three principal gods of Hinduism, Parvati is his consort, and Ganesha, is their elephant-headed son.

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