Mohan’s Chariot:
A Journey into Divine Creativity
I want to thank
the Presentation Committee for selecting “Mohan’s Chariot: A Journey into
Divine Creativity” for this years Yuma Symposium. It is an honor to introduce
your audience to the extraordinary history, and experience, of the chariot
maker.
In the Hindu
religion chariots are used as traveling temples, called temple cars, that are
used to bring temple festivals and prayer to the community when the community
members are unable to find their way to the temple. Chariots are made with a sense
of reverence and devotion that is breathtaking to see and feel: it is
considered a blessing to work on a chariot and I now know this is true.
I was invited to
join a team of silversmiths from Tamil Nadu, India, to participate in the creation
of a chariot for Sri Ganesar Alayam, a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I am the only women in the world to have been given this honor as this is a specifically
male creation made by those who have learned this ancient art at the feet of
their fathers and grandfathers.
In addition to being
a chariot maker, I documented the process of creating this splendid moving
temple that is 22 feet tall, weighs over 1 ton of silver and is comprised of
many thousands of chased and repoussed silver panels, 7000 hand made silver
nails and 102 large enamels. It is the only chariot in the world adorned with
enamels, and these were my contribution to this remarkable rolling temple. To
witness and participate in this creation, and the lively environment where it
was made, is to enjoy the embrace of a community of metalsmiths so rich in
similarities yet distinctly culturally unique. This journey is not only in
recognition of the historical and spiritual depth found in Mohan’s studios,
this journey describes a familiar thread that engages all creative individuals.
It is the intuitive connection to work and working that compels us as artists
See more about Yuma Art Symposium HERE
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