Image title: Figure 29. Parvati or Kali

This unusual sculpture of a female figure, shows 4 hands. Could be of Parvati or Kali. Two hands are in Lata Hasta or Dola. The other two hands seem joined in the front in Karkata. Siras,Urah, Parsva and Kati are in Sama. The lady performing the movement in Mandala Sthana, Janu is bent, Pada are in Sama but turned Parsva. Left Pada is in front of the right, and the right foot is ready to be lifted.

Seeing the position of the hands and feet we can identify this as Dolapada Karana according to whose description in the Natya Sastra, “A Kuncita foot is to be thrown up and moved side to side and dropped as Ancita foot and the two hands are swung from side to side in a graceful manner.” The only variation seems to be the hands clasped in front. It could be used as the starting point or ending point of the Karana executed.

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.