Ayyanar on Elephant
unknown (Indian (South Asian))
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Date
1600-1699Description
Overall view from left side; Ayyanar (also Aiyyanar, Ayanar or Iyenar) is a Tamil village god, worshipped predominantly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Tamil villages in Sri Lanka. He is primarily worshipped as a guardian deity who protects the rural villages. His priests are usually non-Brahmins, who belong to mostly the potter (Velar) caste. The temples of Ayyanar are usually flanked by over-life sized and colorful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephants, made by the potter-priests. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 5/6/2015)
Type of Work
sculpture (visual work)Subject
animal, deities, elephants, Nayaka, Nayak
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only