G20's Nataraja statue completed in mere 6 months, not 30!

The Nataraja statue, which was unveiled at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi earlier this September, was originally planned for completion in 30 months. However, in an official statement on September 26, the Ministry of Culture announced that it was ready for display in just six months.

According to the Ministry, the Nataraja sculpture, a symbol embodying Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe, stands as a symbolic representation of the Bharatiya understanding of the cyclical nature of time. “Delegates from across the globe flocked to witness Sthapathy’s creation for themselves, eager to experience the beauty and transcendental energy that emanated from this renowned work of art,” the statement added.

The Nataraja statue was crafted by the renowned sculptor Radha Krishna Sthapati, along with his team from Swami Malai, Tamil Nadu. They employed the traditional lost wax casting process, following the canons and measurements outlined in Silpa Shastra, an ancient Indian treatise on sculpture and architecture.

This craftsmanship resulted in the creation of the tallest 'Nataraja' idol in the world, standing at an impressive 27 feet and weighing around 18 tonnes. Sthapati was felicitated for his exceptional artistic prowess, his masterpiece having charmed art enthusiasts worldwide. The statue, crafted using clay from the Cauvery River that runs through Swamimalai, now stands as an iconic representation of unity, strength and grace.

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) played an important role in the installation of the Nataraja 'murti'. To further delve into the intricacies of 'Nataraja,' a symposium titled "Nataraja: Manifestation of Cosmic Energy" was organised at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.

The event saw a gathering of distinguished personalities, including Padma Subrahmanyam, Sonal Mansingh, Rambahadur Rai, Gobind Mohan and other luminaries.

At the symposium, Subrahmanyam highlighted Nataraja's essence, exploring the fusion of matter and energy, termed the yantra. Mansingh praised IGNCA for upholding Bharatiya values in the Nataraja statue's installation. Mohan, Culture Ministry Secretary, emphasised the deity's (Shiva’s) influence in completing the project.

Finally, Joshi admired Nataraja's representation of cosmic energy through the 'Tandav Mudra'.