Image title: Figure 18. A Nartaki holding Padma

A beautiful sculpture of a Nartaki holding a Padma with left hand and her right hand is in Uru Hasta. Her Siras and Urah are in Sama, her Parsva in Nata on right and Samunnata on left. Kati is in Udvahita on left, left Uru is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Jangha is unbent and left Pada is in Sama. Right Uru is shown beautifully in Valana, right Janu is bent, right Jangha is in Nata and right Pada is in Agratala. She seems to be doing the Chinna movement of her Kati or even a Recita of her Kati. Can also be doing the Urudvrtta Cari–“The heel of one foot in Agratalasancara is placed facing the back of the other foot, or the reverse is done.” Cannot be associated with any specific Karana.

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.