Image title: Figure 135. A celestial nymph

This is the sculpture of a dancing girl holding Suci Hasta in her right hand. Siras, Urah [uras] and Parsva are in Sama. Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. The right leg is slightly lifted on the toes. The right Pada is placed on its toes–Agratala, right Janu is in slight Unnata, right Uru is in Udvartana (seems to be turning out). Left Pada is in Sama, left leg is at ease, left Janu is a little bent, left Jangha is is in Nata. The girl seems to be performing the Chinna movement of waist. The Bhattacarya described her as Rati the celestial nymph.

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.