Image title: Figure 35. Urdhvajanu Karana

In this dancing sculpture the Siras is in Ancita (bent to left), Parsva is in Nata on left side and Samunnata (raised slightly on right), Urah [uras] is in Sama, Kati is Udvahita on the right side, right Janu is in Unnata, right Jangha is in Udvahita, right Pada is in Kuncita. Left Janu is in Ardhakuncita, left Jangha is in Nata, left Pada is in Sama. Right hand is hanging loose in Lata. Left hand is in Katakamukha near the chest. The Cari can be identified as Urdhvajanu and the Karana also as Urdhvajanu Karana (no. 25). While this Karana is performed the hand which is on the side of the raised leg is stretched out in Lata and the other hand is kept at the chest in Katakamukha.As the legs are lifted alternately the hands also change the positions.

According to the Natya Sastra, “When the foot is raised to the chest level in Kuncita along with suitable actions of the hand, then it is called Urdhvajanu.” The Urdhvajanu Cari is performed by throwing up a Kuncita foot and its knee to the level of the breast keeping the other foot motionless and then the second foot is thrown up and the first is kept motionless.

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.