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Seated Shaivite Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Copper alloy
India (Tamil Nadu)
Chola period, 13th century
Cults of saints who were great devotees of the Hindu gods are common in South India. Ammaiyar, a female saint, came from the village of Karaikkal and worshiped Shiva fervently. Once beautiful, she begged him to take away her looks so that she could avoid the distraction of men's attentions. She was renowned for her severe austerities as well as for her habit of singing to conjure up visions of a dancing Shiva. She holds a pair of small cymbals, which she may have just struck, for she appears to be listening with a rapturous gaze.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
NYC
Seated Shaivite Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Copper alloy
India (Tamil Nadu)
Chola period, 13th century
Cults of saints who were great devotees of the Hindu gods are common in South India. Ammaiyar, a female saint, came from the village of Karaikkal and worshiped Shiva fervently. Once beautiful, she begged him to take away her looks so that she could avoid the distraction of men's attentions. She was renowned for her severe austerities as well as for her habit of singing to conjure up visions of a dancing Shiva. She holds a pair of small cymbals, which she may have just struck, for she appears to be listening with a rapturous gaze.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
NYC