Image title: Figure 42. Talasamsphotita Karana

Siras in in Ancita, slightly bent towards right, Urah [uras], Kati and Parsva are in Sama. The dancing figure is in Mandala Sthana. Feet are in Parsva. The hands are holding Puspaputa Hasta at the chest but bent down. The hands seem to be ready to clap.

This can be described as Talasamsphotita which is Karana 69 according to which, “The leg is swiftly lifted and dropped and the two hands clap simultaneously.” According to Abhinavagupta, “The leg that is lifted in Atikranta or Dandapada Cari is made Aksipta and dropped ahead, while striking the Pataka Hasta with both hands against each other, to produce a sound.” After the destruction of the Tripurantakas, Lord Siva is known to have danced clapping his hands. Hence this movement can be used to depict this in dance.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.