Image title: Figure 114. Ardharecita Karana

Siras is in Ancita, Parsva is in Nata on right and Samunnata on left, Urah [uras] is in Sama, Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. Right Pada is in Suci, right Jangha is in Udvahita. Left Pada is Sama, left Janu is Nata. The movement is being performed from Mandala Sthana. Both the hands are in front of the chest, right hand is in Pataka and the left hand is in Katakamukha. The right foot seems ready to be lifted to perform a Cari like Apakranta.

This can be identified as Karana Ardharecita (no.12) according to whose description, “The hand with Sucimukha Hasta moves freely and the feet to move alternately up and down and the side is in Sannata.” The right hand here seems ready to be moved into Recita. The left hand is in Caturasra. Since the Recita is only on one side it gets its name.

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.