Drunken Courtesan

Drunken Courtesan

 Cave No 3, Badami, 6th Century CE, Chalukya Dynasty

        Gods were not the only concern of the Chalukyan artist. The social conditions also invited his attention.  Drinking amongst the women was a common phenomenon. Here we see a drunken woman being supported by a man. The man could be a client of the courtesan, or a paramour or even a husband of the woman. Although I have called this sculpture "The Drunken Courtesan", but it might be a depiction of a couple. 

        The artist has beautifully captured the collapsing body of the woman: with one foot facing the onlooker, with a limp body, with on arm dangling. The woman is ready to crash to the floor. Yet the woman is not one belonging to a low class. Her jewelry, her youth, indicate her high social status. But notwithstanding her social status, she is overtaken by liquor. 

         The purpose of such sculpture could be to just portray the reality. Or it could be a warning to the people not to get addicted to alcohol. It is an anti - alcohol campaign.  Or it could be a symbol of the need to save the degraded environment or Nature. Since women were seen as a symbol of Nature, here the Nature is degraded, is "falling" due to excess. Hence the need to "prop her up". The need to save Nature before it collapses completely. 

       The sculpture contains a message for all Ages.