Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts
Saraswati is the goddess of learning and the arts (e.g., music), and is often seen playing the Veena, a string instrument. She is also worshipped as the goddess of thoughts of truth and forgiveness.
Arts
Copper Statuette of a Dancing Girl, Mohenjodaro.
A less typical side view of the famous "dancing girl" of Mohenjo-daro, part of a packet of eighteen picture postcards of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro for Rs. 1 and two annas only, that might also be a reprint of the series in Pakistan from the 1950s.
Chalking the Doorstep, Madras
Kolams or muggulu are thought to bring prosperity to homes. These intricate rice flour decorations are made by women in front of doorsteps primarily in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Feeding a Thousand Souls Women, Ritual, and Ecology in
Dancing Girl
One of the earliest postcards of a "dancing girl" printed in India. Nach [or Nautch] women among the most popular subjects of early postcards of India.
Nautch Girl Lying, Jaipur
The great Hindi/Urdu writer Munshi Premchand describes, from the point-of-view of Suman, the heroine of his first novel Sevasadan, the complex view she has of Bholi, a courtesan living across the street from her:
"Suman had never met any courtesans,
Calcutta. Devil Dancers.
[Original caption] Devil Dancers, Calcutta. The Devil Dancer with his painted body, hideous mask, and fantastic head-dress is supposed to strike terror unto the beholder; as a rule he but succeeds in amusing him.
Dancing Girl and Musician
One of the most popular of early nautch postcards, made in many variations by Clifton & Co. As is so often the case, the musician lends colour and evokes the dance even if, in this case, they are probably standing very still in the studio.
A Dancing Girl
An unusual portrait of a dancing girl, simply dressed, with her hands above her head, against a flattened studio backdrop, probably in Mumbai.
Indian Dancing Girl
One of the more elaborately framed and coloured portraits of a nautch girl.
Dancing Girls. Jaipur.
A postcard like this was the result of a careful and perhaps exhausting pose by the dancers. Note the man holding up the backdrop, which probably covered a studio wall or other scene.
