Shiva's incarnation
as the "Lord of the Dance." The most renowned Nataraja picture may be
seen at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu's temple town.
The temple was built during the reign of Vira Raja (927–997
C.E.) and is dedicated to Nataraja.
The depiction of Nataraja, on the other hand, is well-known,
especially in southern Indian bronzes from the Chola era (9th–13th centuries).
One of Shiva's most fundamental qualities as a god is that
he transcends all duality; the Nataraja picture represents this notion.
Shiva dances in a circle of fire, which represents birth and
death, yet he is unaffected by these powers.
Shiva's matted hair sway wildly as he dances, revealing the
power of his action, yet his countenance remains emotionless and undisturbed.
One of his four hands is occupied by the creation drum,
while the other is occupied by the destruction fire.
His third hand is raised palm upward in a "fear
not" gesture.
The fourth point is to his upraised foot, which is a sign of
heavenly kindness and shelter for the devotee (bhakta).
His other foot smashes a demon, demonstrating his ability to
exorcise evil.
The picture is a well-crafted theological message that can
be "read" by people with the necessary skills.
Shiva and Kali, the goddess, seek to settle their rivalry
with a dancing competition in Nataraja's founding tale.
Shiva eventually triumphs over Kali by emerging as Nataraja
and performing an athletic (tandava) dancing style that Kali is unable to
imitate due to her feminine modesty.
Regardless of its mythic origins, Chidambaram's Nataraja
temple has been a major center for traditional Indian dance for over a thousand
years.
Relief sculptures illustrating the 108 fundamental dance
positions can be seen on the temple's eastern wall (karanas).
These postures are crucial in traditional Indian dance,
especially in the Bharatanatyam school, which is Tamil Nadu's most popular
dance form.
