Image title: Figure 118. Recitanikuttita Karana

Siras is in Sama and Urah [uras] are in Sama, Parsva is unbent, Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. Right hand is at the chest with the palm facing up. Left hand in Lata Hasta. The right hand seems ready for a movement like Recita. The dancer is performing the Karana from Mandala Sthana. The right Pada is in Agratala, right Jangha is in Udvahita, right Janu is in Unnata. Left Pada is in Sama, left Jangha is in Nata, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita.

This can be identified as Karana Recitanikuttita which is no. 29 of the Natya Sastra according to whose description, “The right hand makes the Recita movement, the left hand is in Dola pose and the right foot makes Udghattita movement.” Here the right leg is doing Udghattita, left hand is in Dola and the right hand in in Pataka at the chest with palm facing up ready to do Recita movement.

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.