Saraswathi - Kerala Mural Archive

Alangad, ASG_P019 — Saraswathi: full panel view

Detail Photos

Deity: Saraswathi Location: Alangad Sree Santana Gopala Murthy Temple Theme: Non-narrative

This is the image of Saraswati. She is holding a veena in two of her arms and a japamala or praying bead in her upper arm. She is holding a book or a manuscript in her lower arm. She is wearing a rose saree with a golden border. Her blouse looks almost blackish. Parts of this panel are lost and her facial details are undiscernible.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Saraswathi is considered as the goddess of knowledge and wisdom in Indian mythology. She is always depicted on top of a lotus flowerand is known to play the musical instrument Veena. She is considered as the daughter of Brahma.
Episode: Non narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Saraswathi
Iconographic Form: Saraswathi
Iconographic Attributes: Goddess Saraswati, four-armed, veena in her hand. Her upper right hand holds the japa mala or praying bead. Her upper left hand is holding the open, the upper part of the veena. Her lower left hand is holding, lower right hand is holding the strings of the veena. Her lower left hand is holding a manuscript or book. She is wearing a rose saree with golden border and a black blouse. She has long flowing hair and a crown on her head. Her legs are crossed.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 19
Adjacent Panels: Yashoda with Krishna and Balarama, and Venugopalan with Radha

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 08/08/2024
Artist: Neelakantan Ilayath
Identifier: ASG_P019
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.