The Courtesan and the Customer

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.