Varaha Avatar: exploring Indian culture at the exposition "Legacy for the Future"

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At the National Centre RUSSIA, the exposition featuring young artists from Russia, China, India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran is available for viewing until February 2. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and art installations allow visitors to not only enjoy the art but also learn more about different cultures.

Madhav S. Thuruthil, a student from the Sri Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, presented his artwork titled "Varaha Avatar" at the exposition "Legacy for the Future." His work is dedicated to the third of the ten avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. Traditionally, the deity is depicted as a human with the head of a boar. Varaha Avatar is known as one of humanity's primary protectors against evil. 

According to the legend, the demon Hiranyaksha kidnapped the goddess Earth and hid her in the primordial waters. Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha destroyed the demon and lifted the goddess Earth from the cosmic ocean, raising her on his tusks. This allowed her to reclaim her place in the universe, restoring prosperity to the world.

The painting is created in the style of frescoes from the mid-18th century in the Kerala state of southwestern India. Such frescoes traditionally adorned ancient temples and palaces. The artist paid special attention to detail, incorporating traditional religious symbols and using specific colors — Pancha Varna, the fundamental colors of Buddhism and Hinduism. 

Each color carries a unique meaning. For example, black is the antithesis of enlightenment, symbolizing hatred, attachment, and ignorance. White, as in Western traditions, is associated with innocence and purity, as well as wisdom and knowledge.

Blue represents the inner world, growth, and transformation, while red symbolizes fire, anger, and stubbornness but is also associated with vitality. One of the primary colors, yellow, signifies freedom from desires and renunciation of the material world.