Image title: Figure 86. Svastikarecita Karana

The Siras, Parsva, Urah [uras], Kati are all in Sama. The legs are also in Sama. Both Padas are in Sama, both Jangha are unbent and uncrossed. Both Janu are in Sama, both Uru are in Stambhana. The two hands are in Svastika in front of the chest. The

Svastikarecita Karana talks of the hands held first in Recita, then in Avidha and finally as Svastika in front of chest, then separated and kept on the hip.

This sculpture could be depicting the Svastikarecita, Karana no.7, according to whose description, “Two hands with Recita and Avidha gesture are held together in the form of Svastika and then separated and held on the hip.” Here the hands are in the Svastika stage before being dropped to the hip. Even Sangitaratnakara describes this Karana with an inbetween position of Svastika in front of the chest. In the Natya Sastra no suitable Caris are suggested to be done with the hand movements. The figure suggests Samapada Sthana. This could mean that the dancer can use suitable Caris to execute 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.