Image title: Figure 51. Viksipta Karana

An amazing posture. The dancer is performing the Dandapada Cari. The left foot is straight and unbent, the Pada is in Sama, left Uru is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Kati is in Udvahita, the Urah [uras] seems to be also in Sama considering the lift of the hand above the head, Parsva is in Samunnata on left (raised), the whole body is bent slightly to the right. Siras seems to be in Sama. On the right the leg is lifted straight up to the level of the head, right Janu is in Nata, right Jangha is in Ksiptam [Ksipta]. Left hand is above the head touching it and the right hand is in Musti near the chest. This is a slight variation of the Dandapada Cari in which the throw of the foot is correlated with Recita Nrtta Hasta.

This can be classified as Viksipta Karana which is no. 58 according to whose description, “The hands and feet are to be thrown backward or sideways in the same direction.”

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.