Image title: Figure 356. A Dasi (dancing girl).

This is the figure of a dancing girl who is standing in Ayata Sthana, Siras in Ancita, Parsva unbent, Urah [uras] in Sama, Kati raised on right side, right leg is straight and unbent, right Uru in Stambhana, right Janu in Sama, right Jangha unbent, right Pada in Sama. Left leg is at ease, left Pada is in Sama. She is holding Padma with left hand and her right hand is on the Uru. Such dancing girls are commonly sculpted on the pillars of the temple showing the existence of Devadasis during the time of the Cholas and the Nayakas. It not only shows their presence but also their role in the temples which could be limited to similar chores like cleaning the premises or extended to performing nrtta in front of the deity.

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.