Image title: Figure 69. Ardhasuci Karana

A unique pose of the dancer sitting with the right leg stretched up to the head. The right leg is in Kuncita Pada. The right Jangha is in Parivrtta, right Janu is in Sama, right Uru is Udvartana. Left leg is resting on the ground folded into a sitting posture. Right side the Kati is in Udvahita, Parsva is in Samunnata on the right and Nata on left, Urah [uras] is in Udvahita. The body is bent to the left and Siras seems to be in Sama. The sitting position makes it difficult to identify the Karana. The right hand is near the head in Alapadma. The left hand is near the Urah [uras] in Katakamukha.

The sitting posture makes it a little puzzling. But taking into account the right hand position in Alapadma and also the right foot extended in Kuncita Pada it can be said to be a variation of Ardha Suci Karana which is no.77 of the Natya Sastra according to whose description, “The right hand is held on the head in Alapadma and the right foot is extended in Suci 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.