Sculpture of India

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  • Started from Harappa valley civilization in the form of Dancing girl, breaded priest and Terracotta figures.
  • Found in time of Mauryan time as Yaksha and Yakshini (Statue at Didarganj) belong to Jain, buddha and hinduism.
  • Mention in Tamil text Silappadikaram.
  • Found In Mandapa in temples, stupas and Toranas.
Sculptures of Harappan Civilisation
  • The Harappan sculptors were extremely adept at handling three-dimensional volumes.
  • The most commonly found were seals, bronze figures and potteries.
Seals
  • Shapes - square, triangular, rectangular and circular seals were being used.
  • Material - Steatite, a soft stone found in the river beds, was the most common material used to make seals. Agate, chert, copper, faience gold, ivory and terracotta seals have also been found.
  • Script - pictographic script which is yet to be deciphered, written mostly from right to left, but, bi- directional writing style i.e. right to left on one line and left to right on another line has also been found.
  • Animal motifs - unicorn, humped bull, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, buffalo, bison, goat, markour, ibex, crocodile, etc. No evidence of cows has been found on any seal.
  • Seals with symbols similar to ‘Swastika’ design have also been found.
  • Seals were primarily used for commercial purposes and helped in communication.
  • Seals discovered in Mesopotamia and various sites such as Lothal indicate that seals were extensively used for trade.
  • Some seals with a hole on them have been found on dead bodies indicating its use as amulets.
Pashupati Seal
  • Steatite seal
  • Discovered at Mohenjo-daro
  • Depicts a human figure or a deity sitting cross-legged.
  • Surrounded by animals. - An elephant and a tiger are there on the left side of the figure while a rhinoceros and a buffalo are seen on the right side. Two antelopes are shown below the seat of the figure.
Bronze Figures
  • The bronze statues were made using “lost wax technique” or “Cire Perdue”.


Bronze Dancing Girl
  • It is the world’s oldest bronze sculpture.
  • Found in Mohenjo-daro.
  • This four-inch figure depicts a naked girl wearing only ornaments, which include bangles.
  • in the left arm, and amulet and bracelet on the right arm.
  • Stands in a ‘tribhanga’ dancing posture with the right hand on her hip.
Terracotta
  • Found less in number and crude in shape and form.
  • Found mostly in the sites of Gujarat and Kalibangan.
Mother Goddess
  • Found in many Indus sites including Harappa.
  • It is a crude figure of a standing female adorned with necklaces hanging over prominent breasts.
  • She wears a loincloth and a girdle.
  • She also wears a fan-shaped headgear.
  • The facial features are also shown very crudely and lack finesse.

Bearded Priest
  • Made of Steatite.
  • Found in Mohenjo-daro.
  • Figure of a bearded man, draped in a shawl with trefoil patterns.
  • Elongated eyes and half closed as in meditation.

Red sandstone figure of a male torso
  • Made of Red sandstone.
  • Found in Harappa.
  • The torso has a frontal posture with well baked shoulders and a prominent abdomen.
  • There are socket holes in the neck and shoulders.
Prominent schools of sculpture art in India
1. Gandhara school
  • Originated in modern day Peshawar in North west Punjab region in Pakistan
  • Between 50 BC to 500 AD
  • Influenced by Greek and romans
  • Patronised by Kushana rulers
  • Used of blue sandstone and Mud stucco
  • Used only for making Buddha and Bodhisattva image
  • Buddha image resembled with Apollo (greek God) and showed with Spiritual
  • features as half closed eye
  • Famous at Taxila University
2. Mathura school
  • Flourished near Yamuna basin near Mathura and Sonkh area in 100 BC to 400 BC
  • Influenced by all Religion of hinduism,buddhism and jainism
  • Use of Spotted Red Sandstone from Bundelkhand area Show resemblance with Yakshas images Patronised by Kushan rulers
  • Image were showed with great symbolism like Padampani baddha and Shiva as Linga
3. Amravati school
  • Flourished in Nagarjunakonda and Amravati district on the bank of krishna river
  • Use of White Marble was prevalence
  • Patronised by Satavahana Ruler
  • Instead of images,Narrative story making was showed like Jataka story of Buddha

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