Photographer's Note
In the bas-relief panel, the front end of the serpent is being pulled by 91 surly-looking asuras (demons), anchored by the 21-headed demon king Ravana; on the right are 88 almond-eyed devas (gods) pulling on the tail, anchored by monkey-god Hanuman. The central pivot, or churning stick, is a complicated piece of imagery. Vasuki has wrapped himself around Mount Mandara, represented by a tower. At one point Mount Mandara started to sink, and had to be propped up by a giant tortoise, an incarnation of Vishnu. The Sea of Milk, or the Ocean of Immortality, is represented by innumerable fish and aquatic creatures, torn to shreds as they swim close to powerful air currents near the churning stick.
Directing operations at the center is the large four-armed figure of Vishnu (above), closely associated with Angkor Wat's builder, Suryavarman II. The smaller figure above Vishnu is Indra, god of the sky. The actions of the gods and demons cause Vasuki to rotate the tower-mountain and churn the sea into foam, like a giant cosmic blender. This releases a seminal fluid that creates a divine ambrosia, amrita, the essence of life and immortality. Many other treasures are also flung up. Born of this action are apsaras, or celestial dancers, a purely Khmer innovation. The seductive apsaras promise a joyful existence for those who attain the ultimate incarnation; it is assumed that higher incarnations will be male in form.
Michael Buckley is author of the newly-published Heartlands. He has also written the Tibet Travel Adventure Guide, Moon's Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Travel Handbook, Cycling to Xian , Tibet, and has guided VeloAsia tours in Sumatra and Vietnam.
INSIDE THE ROYAL PALACE GROUNDS IN PHNOM PENH.
This can be seen in Bangkok Airport too.
Critiques | Translate
ikeharel
(105933) 2017-03-23 9:15
hello Sam,
The returning pattern of sculptures on the magnificent red/brown wall, is a meticulous art work and no-less beautifully taken from the chosen perspective.
Before opened the thumbnail, thought this was a giant chocolate bar... my imagination makes me lough sometimes.
Best regards,
Ike
PaulVDV
(54875) 2017-03-23 10:56
Hello Sam,
The long line of identical sculptures in this bas-relief creates an attractive view.
We can imagine that this wall possible runs a lot farther with these figures. In your note your talk about 91 demons and 88 gods. So what we see here is just a part of a much larger whole.
The redbrown colour makes this bas-relief quite remarkable.
Best regards, Paul
COSTANTINO
(104209) 2017-03-23 10:58
Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
original version here
excellent chosen point of view
with this redbrown color which makes the
bas reiel quite remarkable
regards
Costantino
danos
(110407) 2017-03-23 11:29
Hello Sam,
nice the view of this bas-relief panel,with all these demons to pull the huge snake.Excellent presentation.
Regards,Danos
boa
(8039) 2017-03-23 13:38
Hi Sam,
this is a piece of amazing art, it must have been very time-consuming to create something like this. I like it very much, especially the idea to make identical demons to create a type of repeating pattern. This shot is taken from a good angle wich gives an excellent depth, tfs!
Have a nice evening/
Boa
lousat
(130007) 2017-03-23 15:37
Hi Sam,very interesting about this lovely artwork from the Royal Palace,i like a lot your choice of point of view to create this magical endless effect,nice too the puzzle made by in and out focus parts,well done! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano
jemaflor
(135464) 2017-03-23 17:29
Hi Sam,
Interesting view with this bas-relief panel, well photographed, good depth effect, nice sharpness, tfs.
emka
(152274) 2017-03-23 23:57
hello Sam
I saw similar scenes depicted in angkor but still I do not understand its meaning. attractive vier of this long row of repeating figures. Nice composition and colour.
Kind regrads MAlgo
gervaso
(28177) 2017-03-27 4:04
Hello, Sam!
The perspective is very nice to show these interesting figures sculpted on the wall, creating a very nice pattern on the photo! Colors and sharpness are also perfect! Wonderful composition! Well done!
ChrisJ
(160070) 2017-03-30 19:30
Hello Sam,
I like the tight framing and repetition of the statues. The shallow dof isolates and emphasises the fg demons carrying the dragon serpent. Good sharpness and attractive warm colors. Tfs!
Photo Information
-
Copyright: sam sun (samson)
(2250)
- Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2016-12-00
- Categories: Αρχιτεκτονική
- Camera: Nikon D7100, Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm VR
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Date Submitted: 2017-03-23 7:10