Sculpture
Figure of Shiva Nataraja
Bronze
Southern Indian (Tinnevelly District)
c.12th century

A four-armed, three eyed figure dancing with the right foot on the prostrate demon, Apasmara or Muyalaka, signifying ignorance, the destruction of which brings enlightenment. The figure is surrounded by a circular aureole of flames, known as jvala mala, symbolising the life of the universe. The front hand is in abhaya mudhra, giving assurance and a cobra, which bestows protection, is coiled round the forearm; the rear right hand holds the drum or daramu symbolising creation, by means of a cord which binds it to the back of the second finger; the rear left hand holds the flame or agni, the element by which the universe will finally be destroyed; the front left arm is stretched across the body in the dancing gesture, gaja or danda hasta. The hair is dressed close to the crown and surmounted by a fan-shaped headress of Kondrai leaves, bearing a crescent moon, Datura flower, skull and cobra. Behind the head , there is a flower-like siras cakra, used for hanging garlands. The braided locks which originally flowed out to the sides are broken off and mossing. A thin sash twisted round the waist has its ends flowing to one side. The costume consists of tiger-skin drawers worn with a girdle, the latter with beaded festoons. Other details include a multi-threaded sacred cord (one thread of which is divided at the chest); spiral keyura armlets; ear- pendants (makara kundala on the right, patra kundala on the left); padasaras on the feet, and a garter with bell above the right ankle. The image is mounted on a lotus pedestal with holes for attachment to a processional carrier. Traces on encrusted carbonate matter in crevices indicate a former period of earth burial.

Shiva - one of the greatest gods of Hinduism, also called Mahadeva. Shiva is identified with the fierce Vedic god Rudra and, in his terrible aspect, is the god of destruction and cosmic dissolution. He is commonly worshipped in the form of the lingam, or symbolic phallus. His other main forms are the great yogi, or ascetic, and Nataraja, Lord of the Cosmic Dance. As a yogi he is depicted as seated deep in meditation in the Himalayas, holding a trident, a snake coiled around his neck, his body smeared with ashes, and his hair long and matted. As Nataraja, he is shown four-armed, bearing various emblems, and dancing on one foot on a prostrate demon. Shiva`s mount is the bull Nandi, and his consort is the goddess Uma, Parvati, Durga, or Kali.

Museum no. IM.71-1935