Image title: Figure 23. Lady performing Udghattita

This sculpture is showing some movement. The lady is performing movement from Mandala Sthana. Her Siras and Urah are in Sama. Parsva is unbent, Kati is in Udvahita on the right side. Right hand is folded across chest and is holding a stick. Left hand is in Lata. Right Janu is in slight Unnata, right Jangha is in Nata, right Pada is in Agratala. Left Janu is in Ardhakuncitam, left Jangha is in Nata, left Pada is in Sama. She seems to be doing Udghattita of the legs.

“Udghattita is that movement of the feet where the Pada strikes the ground with the toes and then the heel is brought down.” The beautifully sculpted face, the rich ornaments in her neck, arms and waist, the three fanned dress with fine creases–all bring out that making sculptures had reached a new high during the rule of the Cholas.

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.