Rise Like A Phoenix By Un nailing Your Inner Shiva : An Artistic Appeal To Andhrapreneurs
June 22, 2024To “rise like a phoenix” signifies an extraordinary transformation and resurgence from the depths of adversity. As per Greek mythology, the phoenix, after living a long life, builds a pyre and is consumed by its flames, only to rise anew from its ashes symbolising rebirth, resilience, and renewal.
The Shiva Lingam at the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple,Amaravati is exceptionally tall, requiring the archakas to use a pedestal platform to perform daily rituals and Abhisheka. The top of the Lingam bears a red stain, which, according to legend, appeared when a nail was driven into it to halt its continuous growth. As the nail penetrated the Lingam, blood oozed out, leaving a permanent mark.
I am fortunate to have several dollar-billionaires and multi-millionaires from Andhra who are very dear friends. The events post-2014 have severely dampened our spirits of wanting to give back to our homeland, making most of us cynical. Our children, who were born in Hyderabad, do not have the same attachment to Andhra as we have.
Now that the political situation has changed favourably and we are at least being heard, it is time for us to rekindle our spirits towards Andhra Pradesh.
It is time to rise like the proverbial phoenix, it is time to un nail Shiva.
Here is an artistic appeal to all my friends.
As an aspiring installation artist, I have conceptualised an installation on the Krishna river’s banks in a shallow pool of water that culminates in an infinity pool, giving the impression that the water flows directly into the river.
The base of the installation stands 6 feet above ground. Once you climb the stairs and enter the installation, you are surrounded by an 18-foot wall with 9 steps. Each step features 112 smaller Shiva Lingas made of bronze, totaling 1008, continuously bathed in water. The central Linga itself stands at an impressive 108 feet in height.
Every day between 5 and 7, the top of the Shiva Linga opens up, projecting itself into the sky. A cloud is created around this opening, making it indistinguishable from the actual Linga and its projection into the sky.
The nine steps with smaller bronze Shiva Lingas light up simultaneously, creating the effect of an Aarati as Shiva extends majestically into the sky.
Through this concept, I pay tribute to the spirit of the entrepreneurs from Andhra and implore them to unnail their inner Shiva. By imagining the sheer monumental scale of the installation, I hope Andhrapreneurs will visualize how an unnailed Shiva would have grown had the growth not been halted. In doing so, they can imagine themselves as that soaring Shiva, filling themselves with the requisite energy to give back and help rebuild Andhra Pradesh.