Image title: Figure 53. Uromandala Karana

In this sculpture the left foot crosses in the front and both the feet are in Agratala. The hands are in front of the chest and seem to be doing Udvestita and Apavestita movements. Siras is slightly bent to one side in Ancita.The hands seem to be doing Uromandala Nritta Hasta. The movement is being executed from Mandala Sthana.

This can be identified as Uromandala Karana which is Karana no.54.

According to Abhinavagupta, “The feet are to be crossed and released by Sthitavarta and Baddha Cari.” According to the description of Sthitavarta, “One Agratalasancara foot is drawn up to cross the other and this movement must be repeated with the other foot also.” According to description of Baddha Cari, “The sideways movement of the thighs when two shanks are crossed.” The Uromandala Hasta Karana has to be synchronized with these leg movements to give rise to the Karana

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.