This playful plump figure of a four-armed gana (dwarf) is a wood carving from a ratha (chariot). He is depicted moving his body in the direction of the trumpet that he is playing. His hair is matted and he is heavily bejewelled. The light hearted spirit of this image is revealed from his expression. Such images are found on the chariots in south India along with images of deities, decorative motifs and 'mithuna' (couples).Most often the subject matter of the ratha carvings is inspired from the Hindu mythology.
