Image title: Figure 84. Lolita Karana

The limbs are in Sama, unbent. A Samabhanga posture. Both right and left Pada, Jangha, Janu are in Sama. Uru is in Stambhana. Siras, Parsva, Urah [uras] and Kati are in Sama. Hands are in front of the chest in Pataka. This posture seems to be the beginning of a movement. The hands seem ready to make a Recita movement.

This can be identified as Karana Lolita -no. 105 of the Natya Sastra. According to its description in Abhinavabharati, “One hand makes Recita gesture and the other is in Alapallava pose at the chest. The head rolls and rests at the sides and the Vaisnava Sthana is assumed. Then it is called Lolita.” The position of the sculpture which we see here shows the beginning of the Karana before the rolling of the head is done. The hands seem to be assuming their respective positions.

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.