Wooden idol of Anthimahakaalan ready

GURUVAYUR: A 4-ft tall wooden idol of Anthimahakaalan is ready for installation at Kadangode Kaikulangara Bhagavathi temple near Kunnamkulam.The idol in polished Jackwood (varikka plaavu) has been sculpted by Elavally Nandan and his team members.It took six months for the team to complete the work. The figures are based on the authoritative texts such as Kaashyapeeyam, Mayamatham, Thanthra Samuchchayam, Shilparathnam and Brihatsamhitha, said Nandan. As the 100-year-old wooden idol (Daaru Shilpam) of the Kaikulangara Bhagavathi temple got damaged, the authorities sought the help of Nandan to sculpt a new idol.“I have used jackwood because it is a warm and live medium. After finding out a quality jackfruit tree with masculine features, I slept under the tree reciting slokas and finally after getting symbolic permission from the nature, I cut the tree. My work is a communication of energy in the sense that anyone who views my work should be inspired to do something,’’ said  Nandan.Nandan was assisted by sculptors Ranjan, Balakrishnan, Ravindran, Sreedharan and 15 workers.The installation ceremony of the idol, scheduled to be performed on May 31, is being organised with eleborate rituals. The installation rites and rituals will be conducted on May 29, 30 and 31. The installation ceremonies will be led by temple thanthri Karakanoor Vadakkedathu Manaykkal Narayanan Namboothiri, Vasudevan Namboothiri, melsanthi Poyathu Manaykkal Narayanan Bhattathirippadu and Thekke Madom Swamiyar Sankarananda Brahmanandabhoothi Swamikal.Nandan is the son of the late Elavally Narayanan Achari who had won several acclaims, including the “Second Perunthachan’’ honour of the Guruvayur Devaswom.Nandan is known for sculpting the entrance (Kavaadam) of the Tirur Thunchanparambu, the wooden doors of the Gopurams of Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple and the wood works of the temples at Kollur Mookambika, Jalahalli (Karnataka) and Maattunga (Mumbai). He had also sculpted the Daarushilpams for the churches at Pavaratty and Kottappadi.A former executive committee member of the Kerala Lalatha Kala Academy, Nandan is likely to head the Daarushilpa Study Centre proposed to be set up by the Guruvayur Devaswom.