Lord of Dance

Lord of Dance

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context: The magnificent Nataraja sculpture has been installed at Bharat Mandapam

More about the news:

• It is the tallest statue of Lord Shiva’s dancing form in the world.
• The statue is an ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) piece of art, crafted by sculptors from Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
• The statue is 27 feet tall and  weighs about 18 tonnes.
• The design draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols i.e. the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram, and the Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Thanjavur.

More about Nataraja:

• Nataraja, also known as the Lord of the Dance, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.
• It is an important piece of Chola sculpture,
• The Nataraja sculpture is characterized by various features:
  • The drum, symbolizing the sound of creation, is held in the upper right hand. It is signified that all creations originate from the great sound of the damru.
  • The eternal fire, representing destruction, is held in the upper left hand, emphasizing that destruction precedes and complements creation.
  • The lower right hand is raised in the Abhay mudra, which signifies benediction and the assurance to devotees not to be afraid.
  • The lower left hand points towards the upraised foot, indicating the path of salvation.
  • The figure of a small dwarf serves as the base upon which Shiva is depicted dancing, symbolizing ignorance and individual ego.
  • Shiva’s matted and flowing locks symbolize the flow of the Ganges River.
  • In terms of ornamentation, one ear of Shiva is adorned with a male earring, while the other features a female earring. This represents the fusion of male and female energies and is often referred to as Ardhanarishwar.
  • A snake is elegantly twisted around Shiva’s arm, symbolizing the kundalini power, which resides in the dormant stage within the human spine and, when awakened, leads to true consciousness.
  • The Nataraja is surrounded by a nimbus of glowing lights, symbolizing the vast unending cycles of time,reminding observers of the eternal nature of the universe and the perpetual dance within it.