Image title: Figure 49. Avahitthaka Karana

The dancer is in Avahittha Sthana. The left foot is in Sama and the right foot is in Tryasra. The right leg is also kept at ease with a slight bend of the Janu. Left Kati is in Udvahita. The body is slightly bent to the right side. Urah [uras] and Siras seem to be in Sama. The hands are in front of the chest in Alapallava.

Can be grouped as Karana no 95–Avahitthaka in which, “The Janita Cari is performed with the fingers of the hand first facing each other and then gradually lowered.” In Janita Cari the foot is to be moved in Agratala, the other foot is in Samapada and one hand is in Musti near the chest whereas the other is in Lata. But here the hands are facing each other in Alapallava. The hands can move from the region above the head or forehead to chest level. Only the legs seem to correspond to Janita Cari.

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.