The Wooden Effigy of Mahadeva is a bold, devotional sculpture made by the Sutradhar tribe, known for their customary woodcraft and religious iconography. This figure is carved from a solid block of wood and depicts Lord Mahadeva (Shiva) as representing a dynamic and spiritually potent figure, erect upon a triangular pedestal signifying stability and divine connection in tribal art traditions. The figure in yellow paint bears the ascetic feature of a tiger skin garment like that of Shiva, a traditional attribute of classical images, richly painted in thick brushwork and with typical pigments. From the head descends a snake, another feature associated with Lord Shiva, signifying power over fear and death.
Three eyes suggest Shiva's omniscient nature—representing past, the present, and future. A crescent moon over his head symbolizes the cyclic time and awakening into spirituality. Sutradhar tribes belong chiefly in Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha. In the past, they were woodcarvers and sculptors assigned to sculpt idols for temples, festivals, and house shrines. Works of theirs exhibit folk art aesthetics fused with religious symbolism, resulting in works like that of this effigy in which art and devotion combine. This effigy is not only a representation of Shiva but also a vibrant reflection of Sutradhar tribal craftsmanship where heritage skills and deeply held spiritual beliefs converge in wood and color in creating sacred art