Image title: Figure 71. Lalatatilaka Karana

Siras is in Uksipta, the right leg is lifted back and is touching the forehead. Urah [uras] is in Udvahita, Parsva is in Nata on left side and Samunnata on right, Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. Right turned in Pada is in Kuncita, right Jangha is in Parivrtta, right Janu is is in Unnata, right Uru is in Udvartana. Left Pada is in Sama turned in Parsva, right Janu is in Ardha Kuncita m, right Jangha is in Nata.The torso is bent to the left and the two hands are in front of the chest kept in Pataka.

This fits into the description of Lalatatilaka Karana, no.50 of the Natya Sastra where, “One leg is lifted behind after assuming Vrscika Karana and seems to be applying a Tilak on the forehead with the great toe.” A Yogic posture extremely difficult to perform.

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.