Image title: Figure 79: Dancing Shiva

[original] Śiva dansant du Type-des-deux-pieds-au-sol, intérieur du porche d’entrée, Mukteśvara, Kāñcipuram (cliché G. Ravindran, EFEO, 2008)

[transcription] Dancing Shiva of the Type-of-two-feet-on-the-ground, interior of the entrance porch, Mukteshvara, Kancipuram (photo G. Ravindran, EFEO, 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.