Image title: Figure 31. Another sculpture in a dancing pose Urudvrtta Cari

This figure has turned her Siras turned to the back–Paravrttam [Paravrtta]. The right hand is lifted up towards the head. The right hand is in Lata Hasta. Both the Janu are in Samhata, both Jangha are in Nata, right Uru is in Valana,left Pada is in Sama and the right Pada is in Agratala but both are facing the same direction. She seems to be performing the Urudvrtta Cari according to whose description, “The heel of one foot in Agratala is placed facing the back of the other foot, one of the shanks is bent and turned inwards and the thigh is turned up.”

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.