Title
South Indian temple dancer
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Dharavad district, Karnataka, south India
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 138 x 68 cm
Accession No.
2000-03322
Collection of
Credit Line
Purchased with funds donated by Hwang Soo Jin
This life-size sculpture of a dancer dressed in red brocade sari and green choli stands in a typical South Indian Bharat Natyam dance pose. She makes the sundari gesture with her right hand, used to depict a graceful maiden or goddess. Devadasis (servants of God) were women dancers who were dedicated to the service and veneration of the deity in the Hindu temple. They were considered auspicious by virtue of their marriage to the deity of the temple. They were also learned in the classical arts and religious practices. This 19th century wooden sculpture is from Karnataka, South India.
