Hanuman Carrying Rama and Lakshmana in Panchaloha Bronze – Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu

Hanuman strides forward in a dynamic, lifted gait, his body angled as he carries Rama and Lakshmana upon his shoulders. The upward thrust of the composition forms the visual anchor, with the smaller seated figures stabilising the movement through their calm, inward poise. Their scale is reduced yet precisely rendered, with defined features and composed expressions that contrast with Hanuman’s kinetic energy.

The short dhoti, tied above the knees, extends outward in tasselled ends, reinforcing the sense of motion. A kirtimukha clasp gathers the garment at the waist, while the jewellery and heavy earrings are worked with controlled detail, adding density without interrupting the flow of the form. The base suggests a rising terrain, grounding the forward stride within a defined spatial plane.

Cast in bronze using the lost-wax method at Swamimalai, the sculpture reveals careful modelling and a cohesive surface finish that settles into the detailing. The material’s weight anchors the movement, allowing the composition to hold a balanced tension between motion and steadiness.