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Collection

c. 1780-1790

The Gods Sing and Dance for Shiva and Parvati

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Shiva and his wife Parvati rest on a tiger skin as they watch a pair of dancers accompanied by divine musicians. The group of performers is so large that it winds away behind the trees. Shiva, the great yogi, can be identified by his ash-white skin, long hair, snake jewelry, and third eye. However, he is shown here not as a terrifying ascetic god, but as a lovely prince on a bucolic outing. The text that this painting illustrates is unknown, but the scene may represent the celebration when Shiva accepts Parvati as his bride.

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Resources

Art and Language Arts (Grades 4-12)

During this lesson, students uncover the “stories” told by works of art as they experiment with the different tools that writers and artists use to make an engaging work. Activities encourage careful observation, analysis, and discussion, and include creative, persuasive, and descriptive writing and poetry. This lesson can be adapted for English-language learners.
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South Asian Art A Resource for Classroom Teachers

This teaching resource highlights eleven works of art that reflect the diverse cultures and religions of South Asia and the extraordinary beauty and variety of artworks produced in the region over the centuries.
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South Asian Art Teacher Resources

This teaching resource highlights eleven works of art that reflect the diverse cultures and religions of South Asia and the extraordinary beauty and sophistication of artworks produced in the region over the centuries.
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The Gods Sing and Dance for Shiva and Parvati, c. 1780-1790 | Philadelphia Museum of Art