Indus Civilization Sculpture
Dancing girl statue, Indus valley civilization
The Indus Valley civilization is renowned for its art, and perhaps the most beautiful example is the statue of the Dancing Girl. Made of metal, it showcases the exceptional artistic and technical skills of the Indus Valley craftsmen. The lanky, thin figure is rhythmic in character, displaying the fine skills of metal casting and artistic refinement.
Dancing girl statue
Curious Posture and Interesting Points
The statue's curious posture is striking, with the figure standing in a resting pose with her right hand at her waist and her left hand on her left thigh. Although she is shown without clothes, she wears bangles on her left hand till almost her shoulder, resembling tribal people of modern-day Gujarat and Rajasthan. Additionally, her contemporary hairstyle is distinct from other mother goddess figures found in this civilization.
Monumentality of the Sculpture
Despite being just four inches tall, the statue's monumental quality makes it unique. The artists' accuracy in metal casting during that period is evident, making it a remarkable piece of art from the Indus Valley civilization.
Bust of a Bearded Man
Two other essential examples of sculptures from this time period are the torso of a male figure in red sandstone and a bust of a bearded man in steatite.
Bust of a Bearded Man
Terracotta Sculptures
Significant examples of metal-cast sculptures have been found in Kalibangan and Daimabad. However, sculptures made from terracotta have also been discovered, including the Mother Goddess, toy carts with wheels, whistles, birds, and animals.
Religious and Ritualistic Use of Sculptures
Most of these sculptures were used for religious and ritualistic purposes, highlighting their significance in the culture and beliefs of the Indus Valley civilization. The metal casting process was also utilized for making everyday use articles like utensils.
