Musicians
Dynasty : Hoyasala, Halebid, Mysore
Period : Late Medieval 1100 CE
Material : Stone
Location : National Museum
Current Location : National Museum
Description :
Hoyasala dynasty was a prominent empire that ruled most of modern-day state of Karnataka from 10th to 14th century CE. Initially, the capital of the Hoyasalas was located at Belur but was later moved to Halebid. Hoyasala architecture and sculpture, especially ornate and intricate, are best seen at Halebid, Belur, and Somnathpur.
Sculpture carved in deep relief showing a female dancer and a male drummer, side by side, each under a canopy formed by scrolled ornament. The female dancer to the proper right holds a cymbal in each hand. Her right foot is turned to the right, and the left rests on the toes. To the proper left, the male is playing the drum. Both the figures are elaborately ornamented with high conical head-dresses, round earrings, necklaces and phalakaharas, armlets and bracelets, anklets, udarabandha, finger-rings and girdles with tassels. They wear a waist-cloth above the knees, the upper part of the body being bare. The base in front bears conventional foliage motifs.