Image title: Figure 41. A dancer performing Parivrtta Karana

A beautiful dancing figure with a body stretched. Hands are raised above the head in Urdhvamandali, right hand is holding left hand at the wrist (not clear), Siras is in Nihancita, Parsva is in Nata on left and Samunnata on right, Kati is in Udvahita on left, left Uru is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Jangha is also straight and left Pada is in Sama. Right leg is straight, unbent. Right Uru and Jangha are straight and unbent, right Janu is in Sama and right Pada is in Sama and turned inward. Seems to be Karana Parivrtta (no.72). Since the sculpture is damaged slightly we cannot make out clearly the position of the hands. But going by the description of the Karana, “The hands are raised in Apavestita performing Urdhvamandala Nrtta Hasta, the leg first performs Suci Cari and drags the other foot, performs Baddha Cari and turns the body.”

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.