Image title: Figure 17. A dancer in Avahittha Sthana

In the above sculpture, Siras is straight, Urah in Sama, Parsva is unbent, Kati is in Udvahita on left side, left leg is and unbent, left Uru is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Pada is in Sama. Right Janu is bent, right Jangha is in Nata, right Pada is in Sama. Right hand in in Katakamukha near the shoulder and left hand is in Uru Hasta. Above is the sculpture of a dancing girl standing in Avahittha Sthana, according to whose description, “The left foot is in Sama and the right is obliquely placed. The left waist is raised up.”

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.