Image title: Dancing Goddess (Nritya Devi)

This wood sculpture shows an image of the Dancing Goddess, from the 15th century A.D.—This figure of Dancing Goddess (Nepali: Nritya Devi) is one of the master-pieces of wooden art displayed in the gallery. Nrityadevi is considered as one of the sixteen Lasyadevis. The Goddess is beautifully ornamented and attired with her right hand displaying the abhaya-mudra, a gesture of reassurance. The expression of movement and the plasticity of the body as shown in the image are remarkable for the exquisite impression of dancing posture.

Nritya Devi can also be spelled as Nrtya, Nrtyadevi, Nṛtya Devī (नृत्य देवी) or Nṛtyadevī (नृत्यदेवी); while Lasyadevi can also be spelled as Lāsyadevī (लास्यदेवी), Lasya Devi or Lāsya Devī (लास्य देवी).

Gallery information:

The National Museum of Nepal (Rashtriya Museum) houses a variety of sculptures, carvings, statues, paintings and other objects grouped according to the major religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. This photo is from the Nepal wood sculpture (kashtha-kala) section.