Image title: Figure 44. Nikuttaka Karana

The Siras is very slightly bent towards the right in Ancita, the Parsva is slightly lifted on right in Samunnata, Nata on left -very slightly, Urah [uras] is in Udvahita, Kati is in Udvahita on right, right hand is raised up on the side near the head–in Alapallava, left hand is near chest very clearly in Caturasra. The figure is executing the movement from Mandala Sthana, right Pada is in Agratala–performing a movement like Udghattita, left Pada is in Parsva.

This fits into the description of Karana 9 - Nikuttaka. According to Abhinavaguptacharya, “Having stood in Mandala Sthana, the hands are put in Caturasra.Then having put the hand in Udvestita Hasta Karana, shoulder and head is tapped. The same foot (left or right) is made Udghattita. The left hand then again is made Caturasra with the Avidhavakravartana. At the same tim e the other side should be raised and brought down as told above. This is the application.^” Here we can see the right Pada making an Udghattita movement and the right hand is near the head ready for the up and down movement. The other hand is held at the chest in Caturasra.Once the other hand comes back to the chest the left hand will perform the movement on its side.

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.