A Document on Anna Pakshi Motif

by

PS Keerti
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction.

2. What is a Motif ?

3. Types of Motif.

4. Motifs of India

5. Annapakshi as Motif.

6. Origin and history of Annapakshi.

7. Annapakshi Meaning.

8. Annapakshi in Wooden Carving and Paintings.

9. Annapakshi in sculpture & Jewellery.

10. Bibliography.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been
possible without the kind support and help of my faculties. I would like to
extend my sincere thanks to all of them.

I am highly indebted to Ms. Chandani madam for her guidance and

constant supervision as well as for providing necessary information
regarding the project & also for her support in completing the project.

I would like to express my gratitude towards members of NIFT, Hyderabad

for their kind co-operation and encouragement which helped me in
completion of this project.

My thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow classmates in developing

the project and people who have willingly helped me out with their
abilities.
 Introduction
Admittedly the creation of things for use is the basic motivating force in the
practical operations of man. But amazingly his endeavors have never been
merely utilitarian. An unconscious desire to beautify all that he has or does
has led him to seek the elements of beauty and to integrate them with the
purpose of his living. Since, the day man began to give shape to the materials
provided by nature for meeting his rudimentary requirements, he has never
been able to resist the inward urge to adorn and beautify his possessions and
surroundings. All these efforts has led to the creation of motifs from different
origins, organizing them in suitable layouts. This gave the uniqueness to the
motifs used in traditional Indian textiles.

Annapakshi
What is a Motif?
A motif is a narrative element with symbolic meaning that repeats throughout
a work of literature. Motifs may come in the form of reoccurring imagery,
language, structure, or contrasts. In drama, motifs may also take the form of
repeated music, visual components, or physical movements. The development
of motifs in a work of literature often contributes to mood and/or theme.

In art and iconography, a motif is an element of an image. A motif may be

repeated in a pattern or design, often many times, or may just occur once in
a work.

Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to
develop and inform the texts major themes.

Types of Motif:
Motif is the most basic unit with the help of which a design or a composition
is made. Motifs are often inspired from nature and are also closely linked to
natural, cultural, religious and socio-economic factors prevailing in any
society.

A motif is the most basic unit or the smallest unit of pattern. Motifs are
repeated in different ways to create patterns and these patterns are repeated
to create a design. Motif has a distinct identity of its own in a pattern or
design. Each motif is generally developed from a geometrical shape or a
combination of different geometrical shapes.
The motifs may be classified as:
Geometric: These motifs include lines in various forms.
Realistic or Natural: Natural motifs portray as direct replica of things.
Stylized:These are simplified variations of natural or man-made objects.
Abstract: These are combinations of colour, size, and shape.

Motifs of India
Traditional motifs can be described as the motifs which are being used in
Indian designs since ancient times and are handed over from one generation
to the other. Our traditional motifs are deeply influenced by religious belief,
culture, environment, activities of day to day life, architecture, history, rulers
etc.

The artisans have modified motifs based on the whims and fancies of the
kings who invaded and ruled India for several years. For creating the variety
of motifs and designs, weavers and designers had also taken inspiration from
their environment.

Annapakshi in Paintings
Annapakshi as Motif
It is about the elegant and graceful Anna Pakshi. It is believed, that this bird
from the heavens led to some serious debating and a lot of research, as most
of us unknowingly considered it as peacock . Though, it looks similar, it is
definitely not a Mayura and our line of reference are the motifs from our
Kanchivaram sarees. The thumb rule to identify an Anna Pakshi is this bird is
rather curvy, round with paisley shaped feathers. Below is the picture of an
Anna Pakshi bird.

Annapakshi on metal Art Annapakshi on Sarees

Anna Pakshi happens to be a white, short and beautiful mythical swan which
happens to hail from the heavens. They say that it is immensely magical and
that this Swetha pakshi is a symbol of purity.

Its not just the sarees which has Anna Pakshi motifs, also the Vilakku or the
Deepam has this as motif. This is a common sight across all the south Indian
households, especially in Kerala who use giant Vilakku.
 Annapakshi on Vilakku

Tanjore paintings, another iconic art of the south gives a visual retreat of
this Anna Pakshi in hues of gold. We can also find Hand painted Anna
Pakshi with some stunning gold foil and stone work. As shown below.

Annapakshi in Paintings
Every one likes Kalamkari and there are two versions to it. One the block print
and the other is the Pen Kalamkari. However the latter is a lot more special as
the artisan pictures the entire design and dyes them with hand and here we
found an impeccable portraiture of the Anna pakshi using the Pen Kalamkari
technique. Not one, but two, forming the twin Anna pakshi frame.

Annapakshi in Kalamkari Art

Origin and History of Annapakshi

This highly stylized motif representing a mythical bird often confused with
peacock, is actually a form of divine swan believed to have descended from
the heavens. Interestingly swans are migratory winter visitors to Indian
subcontinent and Indian mythology and poets talk of them spending summers
in Manasarovar. The graceful creature symbolizes the free spirit of Brahman,
the vahana or vehicle for Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge. In Rigvedic
times, the wise bird could discriminate and separate 'Somaras' from water and
in the later years chose to separate the healthier milk from water and enjoys
a high calcium diet of pearls. The underlying concept is about the knowledge
and wisdom to choose truth over falsehood, virtue over sin, real over make
believe.

Symbol of purity, sheer and elegance is the gracious swan that has decked
the Kanjivaram sarees for centuries to modern days. The bird believed to be
Goddess Saraswathis Vaahanam (vehicle), the mythical creature is also
referred as Annapakshi. The Annam finds its presence on Temple stupas,
religious articles and literature texts. Often accompanied with the Thalaivi
(The Lady), Annam often appears in beautiful and dainty scenes throughout
the literature.

The birds were portrayed in a

lifelike manner or turned into
mystical beings with celestial
features. Particularly, the swan
was chosen for stylising as the
divine Annapakshi who can
separate milk from water and has
spiritual qualities of discerning
between good and evil. The
splendid-feathered Annapakshi
often found pride of place on gorgeous pallus and borders of priceless
Sarees.
In all Saree weaving centres of India, these motifs developed over the
centuries and were polished to such an extent that they became classics of
Indias textile industry.

The story of the Kanjeevaram silk saree begins in Hindu mythology. Legend
has it that the Kanchi silk weavers are descendants of Sage Markanda, who
was considered to be the master weaver for the Gods themselves. It was
during the reign of Krishna Devaraya (from the Vijayanagara Empire) that the
art really took off, images of scriptures and figurines found on the temples
around the village.

Annapakshi on Kanchivaram Sarees

The Motifs of Kanjeevaram silk: Gopuram representing temple tower also

known as temple motifs, mayilkann known as peacock eye, rudraksham
representing Rudraksha beads, yaanai motifs also known as elephant , paisley
motif, mayil chakram motifs, kammal motifs, lion motifs, neelambari motifs,
malli muthu motifs, kili is also known as parrot motif, Iruthalaipakshi motifs is
known as two-headed eagle, yazhi motifs, kuthirai means horse motif,
maanga motif known as mango, Annapakshi or hamsa motif, tamarai motifs,
kuyilkann known as nightingale eye, thuthripoo motif are few known motifs,
depiction of stories from mythology are very common in Kanchipuram sarees
and one can also see traditional motifs featured in the Kanchipuram sarees.

Annapakshi bird design with thin chevron border. Some Kanjivaram sari motifs
have been around for centuries. These popular designs are must-haves. The
annapakshi or mythical swan is one of Tamil Nadu's cultural icons. Depicted in
temple architecture as a plump-breasted bird with ornate tail feathers, the
annapakshi, according to mythology has white plumage symbolizing purity of
spirit. It has powers to discern between good and evil and can separate milk
from water.

Historically birds have been

ascribed meanings that reach far
beyond their place in the animal
kingdom. Many people are
blissfully unaware of our feathered
friends' ancient history and
profound cultural significance.
From peacocks representing
eternity, triumphant golden eagles
and doves connoting peace, birds
have quite the totemic value.

Birds were first introduced to European home decor in the 17th century, when
aristocratic decorators started to buy ornate patterns of birds and flowers
printed on to rice paper by Chinese designers. After a lull they then came
back into fashion in Victorian homes when exotic bird cages were thought to
signify prestige. While avian motifs were popular on art nouveau wallpapers,
there was also a boom of birds in the 1970s when macram owls became
something of a must-have.

The annapakshi is
perhaps the most
favourite motif of
southern weaves.
Perhaps the weaver
hopes that the buyer and
the wearer will
discriminate between real
handloom and imitations
from powerlooms, and
truly value the real over
make believe. An
auspicious symbol that
brings in prosperity, for
the weaver and the
wearer.

Hopefully the discerning handloom lover is not a mythical creature, and may
their ribe grow!
Here we have a collage of the annapakshi motif from the Kanchi, Venkatgiri,
Gadwal, Molakaalmuru, Coimbatore and Kalamkari styles. And a brass one
adorning a traditional lamp.
Annapakshi Meaning
Annapakshi is a bird resembling a peacock, that is said to be mystical white
colored birds that live in heaven, known for its purity. Divinity, purity,
prosperity and beauty are all words that are used to describe this Indian
mythological bird Annapakshi. Its structure is beautiful, plumes of a peacock
and shape of a swan."

Annapakshi Motif used in brass traditional ornaments like Kuthu Vilakku

The strength and power of Yali can be understood by the significance of its
placement which is often the main pillars in the entrance of mandapam (a
temple porch or gateway leading ... The bird believed to be Goddess
Saraswathi's Vaahanam (vehicle), the mythical creature is also referred as
Annapakshi.
A motifs past meaning and history are usually discovered from sources that
nothing to do directly with the textile. In traditional rural India almost every
aspect of life has A special significance and this is translated into symbolic
expression in clothing and other forms of personal adornment the stylization
and blending of various motifs have been influenced over the centuries by
different emperors who have ruled India. Lot of intermingling of Islamic,
Buddhist, Persian and European art is seen today in the Indian motifs made
on textile with printing, painting, dyeing, weaving and embroidering may
serves as protective function. In traditional rural India every aspect of life has
a special significance and this is translated into symbolic expression in
clothing and other forms of personal adornment.

The annapakshi or mythical swan is one of

Tamil Nadus most distinctive cultural icons.
Depicted in temple architecture as a plump-
breasted bird with ornate tail feathers,
the annapakshi, according to mythology has
white plumage symbolizing purity of spirit. It
is gifted with extraordinary powers to discern
between good and evil and is capable of
separating milk from water.
The annapakshis stylized depiction makes it a
perfect motif for Kanjivaram saris. A row of
strutting annapakshis makes for a rich,
arresting border. Woven as a large zari motif
on the sari pallu, the annapakshi is positively
magnificent!
Annapakshi on Wooden Carvings and in Paintings
This figure represents the mythical bird,
the annapakshi. Its body and beak
resemble that of the swan, while its
elaborate plumage and crest derive
from the peacock. In its beak, it holds a
flowering vine, a symbol of abundance.

Painted Wooden Annapakshis. The Sanskrit

word 'Annapakshi' refers to a mythological
bird that lives in heaven, that has been
revered in India for centuries. Well-known
for its purity, divinity, prosperity and
beauty, the annapakshi is often found
carved in ancient temples.

The Mystical Anna Pakshis Commonly Found

On Traditional, South Indian Brass Lamps
(The Kuthu Villaku). These Graceful Birds
Look Like Peacocks Hence, Most Traditional
Temple Carvings Include A Pair Of These
Graceful Birds. The Panels Have Been Hand
Carved & Dyed With Vegetable Dyes.
 Annapakshi in sculpture & Jewellery

From Myth to Silken Reality:

Divinity, purity, prosperity and
beauty are all words that are used
to describe the Indian
mythological bird
Annapakshi or Annams as we
call them. Said to symbolize
purity, the white
coloured Annapakshi, could have
well resembled the elegant
modern day swan.
The Annapakshi occupies a place
in the beautiful Somanathapura Temple in Mysore.This figure represents the
mythical bird, the annapakshi. Its body and beak resemble that of the swan,
while its elaborate plumage and crest derive from the peacock. In its beak, it
holds a flowering vine, a symbol of abundance.

Annapakshi on Sculptures
Annapakshi in Gold &
Diamond jewelry
The Prasanna Chenna Kesava Temple is situated in the village of Somnathpur,
35 kms. from Mysore. It was constructed in 1268 A.D. by Soma Dandanayaka,
a minister in the court of the Hoysala king Narasimha III, in the typical
Hoysala style with star-shaped base, three shrines with towers.

The main idol of Kesava is missing, but the idols of Janardana and Venugopal
can be seen in the northern & southern cells. There are a total of 64 cells in
the pillared corridors.

There is an abundance of carvings on the outer walls, intricately carved rows

of caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen and annapakshi, mythological
birds and beasts.

Prasanna Chenna Kesava Temple in the village of Somnathpur,

Mysore.
ANNA PAKSHI: Birds that look like peacock but not actually peacocks, these
birds are said to be mystical white colored birds that live in heaven, known for
the purity. They are said to be so pure that if you keep milk mixed with water,
they can separate water from milk and drink only pure milk.
Material: Brass/Bronze
Method: Brass/ Bronze molding method
Height: 42 Inches-(3& Feet) Weight: 18.5 kg.
Height: 50 Inches-(4 Feet) Weight: 25.5 kg.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.pinterest.com

https://www.sarangithestore.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif_(visual_arts)

http://www.literarydevices.com/motif/

https://literarydevices.net/motif/

www.wineverygame.com/words/motif.html

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/motif

www.wineverygame.com

www.paintandpattern.com