Recently, a visually updated version of the Dancing Girl figurine of Mohenjodaro was showcased as a representation at the International Museum Expo 2023 in Delhi. The mascot was made using the traditional Channapatna toy-making craft, which holds a geographical indication (GI) tag. The figure has provoked criticism due to its departure from the original design, sparking a dialogue around preserving historical accuracy in contemporary adaptations. The Ministry of Culture, however, stands by its creation, viewing it as an artistic interpretation of dwarpals, or door guardians.
Exploring the Significance of the Dancing Girl Figurine
Believed to mirror a deep sense of art and aesthetic wisdom within the Harappan Society, the Dancing Girl is a renowned artifact of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). The IVC, also known as the Harappan Civilization, signifies one of the most influential and advanced ancient societies. The figurine, discovered in 1926 by archaeologist Ernest Mackay at Mohenjodaro, represents both their artistic prowess and cultural depth.
The Dancing Girl, crafted from bronze through the lost wax technique, goes beyond serving utilitarian purposes. It showcases the Harappans’ ability to capture minute details such as anatomy, expressions, postures, highlighting the symbolic aesthetics of their time. A testament to its uniqueness, historian AL Basham described her as showing “lively pertness,” setting her apart from other artifacts of the period.
Today, following partition agreements between India and Pakistan, the Dancing Girl stands proudly in the National Museum of India, enthralling visitors in the museum’s Indus Civilisation gallery as its “star object”.
An Insight into the Lost Wax Technique
The lost wax technique, used heavily in ancient times to create intricate bronze figures, begins with crafting a wax model, which is encased in a heat-resistant material like plaster or ceramic. After creating the mold, it is heated, melting the wax and leaving an empty cavity. Molten metal is poured into this cavity, filling the space left by the wax. The metal cools and solidifies, replicating the wax model’s shape. When solidified, the mold is removed, revealing the final metal object.
Techniques like these exemplify the precision that ancient societies had achieved in creating detailed objects, often seen in sculptures, jewelry, and other decorative elements. Today, we combine lost-wax casting with modern technologies like 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD) to improve precision and efficiency.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
In 2013, a question was asked in the UPSC Civil Services Examination related to the Indus Valley Civilization. The question was as follows:
Q. Which of the following characterizes the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
They possessed great palaces and temples.
They worshipped both male and female deities.
They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.
Contestants were asked to select the correct statement/s using the codes provided:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the statements given above are correct
The correct answer was option (b).