‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjo-daro

Why in News?

The Class 9 history textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training recently restored the original image of the iconic Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro after an earlier edition had digitally shaded over its nude torso. The figurine had also attracted attention in 2023, when a fully clothed contemporary version was introduced as the mascot of the International Museum Expo 2023.

About the Dancing Girl

The Dancing Girl (now in National Museum, New Delhi) is one of the most celebrated artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is a bronze statuette, approximately 10.5 cm tall, discovered in 1926 during excavations at Mohenjo-daro.

The figurine is believed to date to around 2500 BCE and is regarded as an outstanding example of the artistic and metallurgical skills of the Harappan people.

Features of the Figurine

The statuette depicts a young woman standing confidently with:

• Her right hand resting on her hip.
• Her left arm hanging loosely, almost completely covered with bangles.
• An elaborate hairstyle tied into a bun.
• A necklace around her neck.
• A relaxed posture with one leg slightly bent, suggesting movement and confidence.

The figurine is nude, except for its ornaments, reflecting the artistic conventions of the Harappan civilisation rather than any religious or moral symbolism.

Artistic Significance

The Dancing Girl was created using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique, one of the earliest known methods of bronze casting. The technique involves creating a wax model, covering it with clay, melting the wax, and pouring molten metal into the mould.

Sources: IE & ASI