Dhaniram Sankar studied at California College of Arts in the United States, then went on to Visual Performing Arts and Film at the University of the West Indies. With more than 40 years of experience in murti making, this master artist said creating these statues is a form of devotion to God.
Murtis can be made of concrete for more permanent use or clay for festivals. The latter are temporary and dissolve over time in water after a ceremonial immersion or visarjan.
Sankar and his assistants Vishala and Kavita Lutchman, Maya and Andy Sankar and Bhandath Dwarika, work out of his home in Charlieville in central Trinidad, making murtis for temples and religious observances throughout the year.
Sankar with a concrete murti of Sangani Dee Baba, an incarnation of Lord Shiva
Edison Boodoosingh
Sankar in his workshop with assistant Vishala Lutchman.
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Detail of the fingers of a murti as it is worked on
Edison Boodoosingh