Image title: Figure 52. Apakranta Karana

The Siras and Urah [uras] are in Sama, Kati is in Udvahita on the right. The right foot is in Agratalasancara, Janu in Unnata, Jangha is Udvahita, the Uru seems ready to perform an Udvartana (hence the foot is a little forward), right hand is on the right Uru in Alapallava, left hand is near the chest in Musti or Katakamukha, left foot is in Sama, left Jangha is in Nata, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita, the body seems slightly bent to the left.

The dancer seems to be performing the “Apakranta Cari in which the leg is moved inward in Valana, lifted and then turned out and dropped.” If so, this can be identified as Apakranta Karana which is no.79 of the Natya Sastra in which, “Apakranta Cari is to be performed and the hands are to be moved in harmony.”

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.