Image title: Figure 105. Prsthasvastika Karana

The dancing figure is fully turned showing the back portion. The dancer’s feet are crossed in Svastika with the right foot placed behind while turning. Both the feet are in Agratala showing that a turning movement has occurred without the feet being lifted. The position also shows the end of the Karana

This can be identified as Prsthasvastika Karana, no. 16 according to whose description, “The two arms after being thrown up, Apakranta Cari is performed, then Suci Cari is performed with the other foot and the hands come down and form Svastika. Simultaneously the feet also come together as Svastika and the lower part of the spine is turned around to face backwards.”

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.