This sculpture is an exceptional bust of a pahlawan bust portraying a Pahari woman. It is one symbolic representation of the indigenous communities settled in the hill regions of the state of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The word “Pahari” itself creates an umbrella-culturally, as well as linguistically, over many ethnic groups living in the lower Himalayas and formed by nature with their rich traditions, resistance, as well as local issues.This bust is placed on a circular pedestal and indeed possesses the prominent anatomical features associated with the Pahari people. The hair of the woman is straight, while her eyes show an epicanthic fold indicating Mongoloid influence, a quality common among Himalayan populations. The added flat and broad nose, in addition to thick lips, gives emphasis on the reality of the sculpture.
The Paharis are very rich in their folk art traditions, music, and dance, as well as crafts. Central to this are the women of these communities who continue to keep their culture alive through their textiles, rituals, and oral histories. This bust and sculptures like it not only capture the corporeal characteristics of different groups but preserve culture and identity to be passed on for generations.It makes an ethnographical and sculptural view: a valuable specimen for the museum, an educational instrument for schools, and worth the interest of cultures researchers.