The Courtesan and the Customer
South Indian Sculpture, 18th Century AD
Like Gujarat, South India is famous for its wood carvings. Sociologically speaking, this is a very interesting piece. For it does not depict gods or goddesses. It depicts the relationship between s courtesan and her rich client. Having done with her, he turns to leave her, still carrying his bag of monies. She continues to play the violin. Interestingly she plays a Western instrument and not an Indian one. Has the artist given her a Western instrument in order to depict her social and cultural isolation? Her pitiable condition as a means of satisfying people's lust is writ large. It is a sculpture which celebrate the darker an tragic side of life.
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