This brass statue, a contemporary artwork but rendered using the ninth-tenth century tradition of the great Chola sculpture, still practiced at some of the centers of art in South India, especially Swamimalai in Tamilnadu, best known for its brass-cast in characteristic Chola tradition, represents the four-armed elephant god Lord Ganesha in his Ekadanta manifestation. The Ekadanta form of Lord Ganesha is one of his earliest eight forms that texts perceive as prevailing over eight weaknesses inherent in man. Lord Ganesha in his Ekadanta manifestation commands ‘Moda’ – arrogance, the man’s inclination to disrespect others, a kind of non-acceptance of the world, and hence a disharmonious living. By vanquishing this inherent weakness Ekadanta Ganapati makes life harmonious.
