Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts

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Ajanta Cave 17: Dwarves

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad; circa mid-to-late 5th century
Located on one of the left columns within the antechamber, these dwarves are rendered in a linear fashion. Their faces are chubby with big eyes and thick lips, their bellies are big and round, and their legs and hands are strong and fleshy. The dwarf on the left has his mouth opened and is playing a kind of stringed instrument, while the one on the left plays a drum. Despite deterioration, the details are still remarkably clear. Dwarves are commonly depicted on early Indian Buddhist architecture. However, dwarves holding musical instruments are more rare.

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