Image title: Figure 45. Parsvanikuttaka Karana

In this figure the Siras is bent to right in Ancita. Body is leaning to the left, right side Kati is in Udvahita, Parsva seems to be in Nata on right and Samunnata on left. The dancer is performing the movement from Mandala Sthana. The right foot is in Agratalasancara and is slightly behind the left foot. The bend of the body suggests a movement like Udghattita. The hands are crossed near the chest in Pataka to the right. This kind of a bend of the body and leg position suggests a Nikuttita movement of the legs i.e. alternately doing Udghattita. The hands suggest a movement like Pallava wherein the hands are moved up and on the sides in Pataka, till the head and then turned back and crossed at the chest. This involves Vyavarta and Parivarta movement of the hands.

Can be identified as Karana 49–Parsvanikuttaka according to whose description, “Svastika hands held close to the sides and the legs to be in Nikuttaka.”

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.