Cleveland Museum of Art

Dancing Ganesha

Date

c. 1000

Medium

sandstone

Culture

Central India, Madhya Pradesh

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The name Ganesha means "lord ( isha ) of the demonic dwarfs ( gana )," part of Shiva's entourage. They dance and imitate Shiva in humorous ways that inspire his followers' affection. In this sculpture Ganesha's dance mimics the dance of Shiva. Ganesha has six arms instead of four, and he holds a bowl of sweet cakes and a radish instead of a tongue of flame. Ganesha's mount is the rat, which evokes full granaries and the prosperity and abundance that they imply.

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