Image title: Figure 70. Alata Cari

A beautiful sculpture. Left foot is in Sama in Parsva and right foot is in Agratalasancara with the toes on the ground and the heel raised.The movement of the feet are given as follows–

“Udghattitah samascaiva tatha agratalasancarah Ancitah kuncitascaiva padah pancavidah smrtah ll”

This seems to be a casual standing posture with the Urah, Parsva and Kati in Sama. Right hand is in Lata Hasta and left hand is placed on Uru. She could also be performing the Alata Cari. This position appears at the beginning or end of the Cari before the leg is lifted to be moved backwards. Then it is put down in Ancita.

According to the description of Alata Cari, “One foot is stretched backwards and then brought in and then forward and made to fall on the heel in Ancita.The foot

is lifted in Kuncita Pada.” So what we see here is the position where one leg has finished the movement and the other leg is brought forward before the lift of the foot to perform the action.”

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.