Anandatandava, Ānandatāṇḍava, Ananda-tandava: 1 definition

Introduction:

Anandatandava means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

[«previous next»] — Anandatandava in Shilpashastra glossary
Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śilpa)

Ānandatāṇḍava (आनन्दताण्डव) is a “dance of Śiva” and depicted as a sculpture in the first pillar of the southern half of the maṇḍapa of the temple of Lokeśvara.—In the lower frieze are dancing figures in between garland motifs. In the centre is a bas-relief of the dance of the divine couple. In the centre of the panel is Śiva with eight hands. To his left is his consort Pārvatī who is also dancing with him. He holds, going upwards starting from his right lowermost hands: snake, two unclear emblems due to damage, flagstaff with a fluttering flag. Then starting from the uppermost left hand going downwards: a pot like thing with fire flames, next one caresses the chin of Pārvatī, rosary in the next and the lowest one rests on his thigh.

The Goddess is with only two hands, left in dolahasta and right on the hip designing a diverging bracket from the left of Śiva. To the right of Śiva is a ghaṭa player, pot percussion instrument and to the left of the goddess is a string instrument player who is striking the strings with his fingers. He holds just the daṇḍige “neck” of the instrument without gourd. Near the feet of Pārvatī are two haṃsa with interlaced necks. In the upper plan of the scene are demigods in couples, flying. One of them, who is to the right of Śiva, holds a flower in his left hand. All four of them, it is very clear from their gestures, are lauding the dance of the divine couple. This is one of the best representations of Ānandatāṇḍava dance of Śiva although there is fire in his hands.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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