Latest / The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History
Chola Empire's Temple Bronzes: Lost Wax and Living Icons
In this episode of The Chola Empire podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the sacred art of Chola bronze casting, focusing on the lost-wax technique that produced iconic Nataraja and other deity statues. They trace the process from raw materials — copper, tin, lead — to the ritual consecration that transformed a metal image into a living god. The conversation covers the role of master sthapatis (artisans), the patronage of queens and monasteries, the export of bronzes to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, and the shadow trade that smuggled masterpieces to European museums. Specific statues discussed…
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