QUE: Harappan art contributes to understanding their spiritual and religious life as well as their aesthetic sensibilities. Comment.

Harappan art reflects not only functional but also spiritual, religious and aesthetic aspects. It reflects the beliefs and artistic skills of the society through elements such as mudras, statues, pottery and vessels.

• Contribution to spiritual and religious life:

Mudras (seals): The Pashupati mudra is famous among Harappan mudras, in which the Trimukhi deity is depicted sitting in a yoga posture and surrounded by animals (elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, buffalo). This is the symbol of Pashupati and indicates animal worship and spiritual practice (yoga, meditation). Also, symbols like the one-horned animal (unicorn) are associated with fertility and religious rituals.

Idols of Mother Goddess: The depiction of Mother Goddess in terracotta idols represents fertility, agriculture and nature worship. It has saucer-shaped eyes and beak-like noses, which are symbols of religious rituals and female deity worship. These idols, used as amulets, reflect spiritual protection and magical beliefs.

Animal and tree designs: Images of peepal leaves, trees and animals (bulls, elephants, tigers) are found on mudras and vessels as symbols of nature worship and life. In these, trees are depicted surrounded by protective spirits, which indicates spiritual and environmental beliefs. Structures such as the Great Bath are also associated with religious rituals (purification).

Other symbols: Swastika, round stones (precursors of Shivlings) and amulets indicate ghost, magic and fertility beliefs. Burial of the dead with offerings also reflects spiritual life.

• Contribution to aesthetic sensitivity:

Idols and bronze art: The intricate depiction of human proportions, gestures and ornaments (bangle, necklace) in the bronze statue of “Nratyanga” shows aesthetic skill. Also, the half-closed eyes and shawl design in the “Purohit-King” statue reflect realism and similarity.

Geometric and abstract designs: Circles, squares, triangles and repetitive patterns on vessels and mudras symbolize similarity and order. Stylized depictions of animals and plants show aesthetic sensitivity and artistic imagination.

Materials and techniques: The use of different materials (stone, metal, terracotta) in bronze statues and steatite mudras made in the ‘lost wax’ technique shows the skill and sensitivity of the artists to beauty. The depiction of different moods (anger, strength) of animals is realistic and artistic.

Vessels and ornaments: Geometric and animal designs in black on red earthenware vessels and gold and gemstone ornaments (necklaces, bangles) indicate the society’s awareness of fashion and beauty. Thus, Harappan art highlights the spiritual (yoga, nature worship), religious (god worship, rituals) and aesthetic (realism, complexity) aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization. The absence of temples in it indicates an egalitarian society, and this art is still helpful in understanding the origins of Indian culture.