This iconic image of Shiva may well be the best-known image in all of Indian art. It is called Shiva Nataraja Lord of the Dance. Variations of this basic composition were first made during the Chola Dynasty in southern India during the 11th and 12th centuries. Shiva dances with dynamic grace standing on a personification of egotistical ignorance. Around him is the universe as a whole a flaming circle that represents the glowing globe of the material world. In his right hand is a rattle drum. Its sound activates each moment of time. In his left hand is the flame that burns up each moment at the end of its time. The core concept is that Shiva is doing an endless dance of creation and destruction and re-creation again and again and again. This particular bronze was cast in the 19th or early 20th century but was very well done and has a good deal of the character of the earlier bronzes. This sculpture was done in the 12th century Chola style. (FLG)
Rotating video:https://vimeo.com/504858779
More information: http://bit.ly/3cyEhfB
- Subject Matter: Shiva as Divine Dancer
- Inventory Number: 2014.1.103
- Collections: Sacred World Art Collection