Image title: Figure 77: Dancing Shiva

[original] Śiva dansant du Type-des-deux-pieds-au-sol, façade nord du porche d’entrée, Mātaṅgeśvara, Kāñcipuram (cliché V. Gillet, 2008)

[transcription] Dancing Shiva of the Type-of-two-feet-on-the-ground, north facade of the entrance porch, Matangeshvara, Kancipuram (photo V. Gillet, 2008)

Gallery information:

These plates originate from the book The Creation of an Iconography as based on Shaivite narrative (original title: “La création d'une iconographie sivaïte narrative”) which details the sculptures and construction temples of the Pallava dynasty (in the Tamil-speaking Southern India) near the end of the 7th century. Usually, such constructions were dedicated to Shiva having the walls adorned with representations of Siva in various embodiments: some benign, some fierce and sanguinary, others victorious and regal.