Shiva is the supreme God of Shaiva Hinduism. He is one of the five primary forms of God in the Smartha tradition of Hinduism. Hinduism's followers who focus their worship on shiva are known as Shaivites or Shaivas. Shaivism, along with Vaisnava traditions which focus on Vishnu and Sakta tradition that focus on Devi, are three of the most influential denominations of Hinduism. Shiva is typically worshipped in the form of Shiva linga. He is generally represented visually while immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava on the demon of ignorance in the form of Nataraja, the lord of the dance.
Shiva's depiction as Nataraja is very popular. The names Nartaka ('Dancer') and Nityanarta ('Eternal Dancer') are apparent in the Shiva Sahasranama. Shiva's association with dance and music is prominent in the Puranic period. In addition to the iconic Nataraja form, he is present in variations and other dancing forms throughout all parts of India. He appears as many well-defined varieties in Tamil Nadu (southern India).
Cold Cast is a modern method of casting sculptures using a mixture of resin and powdered polymer materials. The finished sculpture has a surface which looks very similar to traditionally cast material, but tends to be much lighter.
