- Title
- A Dwarf Drummer
- Date Made
- circa 500
- Medium
- Reddish buff sandstone
- Dimensions
- 24 3/4 x 21 1/2 x 7 in. (62.87 x 54.61 x 17.78 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.69.13.10
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
Ganas (troop or multitude) are types of demigods who serve as attendants for the Hindu god Shiva. They are envisioned as rotund gnomes, often rambunctious and full of zest. They dance and play music for Shiva and his wife Parvati. Their leader is Ganesha/Ganapati (lord of the ganas). Hosts of ganas are often depicted accompanying Shiva and Parvati in later group representations of their Holy Family.
This gana uses percussion mallets to play an hourglass-shaped drum tied to his ample girth while he dances to its beat. He wears a protective amulet around his neck (see M.76.2.25), and large earrings and bracelets. His cascading curled locks of hair and fleshy facial features are characteristic of the Gupta stylistic fashion of the 4th-6th century.
A comparable gana is in the Denver Art Museum (1986.188).
