The goddess Uma, also known as Parvati,
daughter of the mountains, was the
consort of Shiva. When she finally
attracted Shiva, after a long and
physically grueling courtship, he shared
with her the secrets of the world, a
conversation that would lead to the
dispersal of this elite knowledge
amongst the wise. Shiva’s exploits were
represented on the relief carvings of
Angkor Wat, the center of the Khmer
dynasty and the largest religious
monument in the world. Thus, Uma was a
favored goddess of Khmer artists for her
important stature in the Hindu
hierarchy.
The artistic glory of the Khmer
civilization is perfectly preserved in
this sculpture of Uma. Stylistically,
the idealized forms of the figure are
characteristic of Angkor. The smooth
polish of the surface, the hourglass-
shape of the torso, and the facial
structure of this statue are typically
Khmer. The floral diadem tied into a
knot at the back of her head and the
pleated sarong with overhanging fabric
carved in the shape of a fishtale are
also both indicative of Khmer sculpture
of this period. The idealization of the
figure is the direct result of her
divine nature. Gazing upon this
masterpiece, we are in the presence of
not only a gorgeous goddess, but also a
relic of one of history’s great
civilizations. Like all great art, this
sculpture memorializes an entire culture
and era. The art and architecture of
the Khmer is one of the greatest
achievements of mankind. Basking in the
glory of this sculpture is reveling in
the beauty of life and creation itself.
It’s no wonder that early legends
surrounding Angkor, before it was
properly excavated and documented,
purported it to be a city created by the
gods when they still resided on earth.
Somehow, this sculpture of Uma seems
like a divine self-portrait.
- (PF.5538)
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