Image title: Figure 98. Skhalita Karana

Siras is in Ancita, Parsva is in Nata on right side and Unnata on left. Urah [uras] seems to be Sama, Kati is in Udvahita on right side. Right leg has formed a front Svastika. Right Pada is Kuncita, right Jangha is Avartita, right Janu is Ardhakuncita. Left Pada is Sama and in Parsva, left Jangha is in Nata, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita.

Right hand is near the chest in Alapadma or Musti, left hand is in Lata Hasta. The body position shows a movement which has taken place.

This can be identified as Skhalita - Karana no.86 according to whose description “Dolapada Cari is performed with Recita gesture to be turned around in harmony with this.” This description of turning around indicates a Brahmari. The pose shown suggests that a Brahmari has been performed, seeing the position of the right foot in Kuncita, lift of the right Kati and the bend of the body to the right.

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.