Image title: Figure 90. Dolapada Karana

Dolapada Karana or Svastikarecita Karana or Unmata Karana Siras is in Ancita, Parsva is in Nata on right and Samunnata on the left, Urah [uras] is in Udvahita, Kati is raised on the right side. Right Leg is straight and unbent. Right Jangha is unbent, right Janu is in Sama, right Uru is in Stambhana. Left Pada is in Ancita, left Jangha is in Udvahita, left Janu is in Unnata, left Uru is in Nivartana. The left leg position looks as if it is performing Pratyalidha action.

This can be classified as Dolapada Karana which is no.60 according to which, “A Kuncita foot is thrown out and the hands are swung around in Dola in a pleasing manner.” So this position caught in the sculpture could be the inbetween position where the dancer performs Dolapada Cari after assuming the Pratyalidha action. Can also be Svastikarecita Karana. In this figure the hands are ready for Recita and the feet are assuming a Pratyalidha position before continuing the other actions of the Karana Can also be identified as Unmata Karana according to whose description , “Feet to be in Ancita and hands to be in Recita.”

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.