A Rani Watching a Dance Performance

A Rani Watching a Dance Performance

Sunga Dynasty,  2nd Century BC

         A very  interesting piece of sculpture which permits us to look into the inner chambers of a Rani's palace. The Rani sits at the top. She is being fanned by a maid. The orchestra of female musicians plays different musical instruments : the harp, a mandolin like instrument --looking like a Sarod, a flute, a drum. The dancer sways to the music with her hands swinging and her feet in rhythm.  

         The sculptor has almost caught the perspective right. Since the Rani is sitting further away from the viewer, she is smaller in size. The dancer in front looms large. The sculptor, thus, does not depict the figures from the point of view of the social status of the figures. But portrays the figures from an artistic or visual angle. 

          Surprisingly the entire orchestra is of women. This shows that women were trained in music and dance. But this may also indicate that men were not allowed in the Rani's palace. Hence, this may reveal the segregation of women and their confinement in a palace. This piece reveals more than just a dance performance.