Image title: Figure 99. Lalita Karana

Siras is in Ancita (very slight bend to left), left hand is near the ear in Tripataka, right hand is in Lata thrown to the left. Right side Parsva is in Samunnata and left side it is in Nata. Urah [uras] is in Nirbhugna. Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. Sthana from which movement is performed is Mandala. The right Pada is in Agratala, right Jangha is in Nata, right Janu is in slight Unnata. Left Pada is in Sama and turned to the side–Parsva, left Jangha is in Nata, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita.

This posture can be identified as Lalita-Karana no. 33. According to the description of this by Sarangadeva, “The right hand makes Nitamba, Kesabandha and other Vartanas. The other hand should do Karihasta and the foot makes Udghattita movement.” Here we can clearly see the Udghattita movement and Karihasta.

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.