This is an exceptionally beautiful South Indian wood art of Krishna in his form Venugopala. Flute in Sanskrit is called <em>Venu</em> and <em>Gopala</em> means cowherd. Krishna is also called Venugopala since he used to play flute while herding his cows. The woodcarving is very subtly coloured in striking, soft hues and polished thereafter. <br> <br>The theme of this South Indian wood carving is of four-armed Krishna bearing <em>shankha</em> (conch) and <em>chakra</em> (disc) in his upper hands and the lower hands are poised in flute playing pose. His four arms are an indication to his divinity in that he was the eight incarnation of <em>Vishnu</em>, the supreme person. <br> <br>Krishna stands in his enchanting <em>tribhanga mudra</em>, a pose bent at three points viz. neck, waist and knee. He stands against a cow behind him which lovingly licks his raised foot. The intricately carved floral branches of the tree in the background form the frame of this woodcarving. <br> <br>Venugopala is seen richly jewelled and wears a crown. This is a very beautiful wood carving to own and could be hung both indoors and outdoors.
