Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance thumbnail 1
Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
South Asian Sculpture, Room 47b

Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance

Bronze Sculpture
12th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A four-armed, three-eyed figure dancing with the right foot on a prostrate demon, Apasmara or Muyalaka, signifying ignorance, the destruction of which brings enlightenment. The figure is surrounded by a circular aureole of flames (jvala mala), symbolising the life of the universe. The front right hand is in abhaya mudra (giving assurance), and a cobra, bestowing protection, is coiled round the forearm; the rear right hand holds the drum (damaru: symbol of creation) by means of a cord which binds it to the back of the second finger; the rear left hand holds the flame (agni: the element by which the universe will be finally destroyed); the front left arm is stretched across the body in the dancing gesture, gaja or danda hasta. The hair is dressed close to the crown and surmounted by a fan-shaped headdress of Kondrai leaves (Cassia fistula L.) bearing a crescent moon, Datura flower, skull and cobra. Behind the head there is a flower-like siras chakra (disc for hanging garlands). The braided locks which originally flowed out to the sides are broken off and missing. A thin sash twisted round the waist has its ends flowing to one side. The costume consists of tiger-skin loin cloth worn with a girdle, the latter with beaded festoons. Other details include a multi-threaded sacred cord (one thread of which is divided at the chest); spiral keyura armlets; ear-pendants (makara kundala on the right, patra kundala on the left); padasaras on the feet, and a garter with bell above the right ankle. The image is mounted on a lotus pedestal with holes for attachment to a processional carrier. Traces of encrusted carbonate matter in crevices indicate a former period of earth burial.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleShiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Copper alloy, cast by the <i>cire perdue</i> or lost wax process
Brief description
Figure of Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, copper alloy, reportedly found in the Tinnevelly District, Tamil Nadu, South India, 12th century
Physical description
A four-armed, three-eyed figure dancing with the right foot on a prostrate demon, Apasmara or Muyalaka, signifying ignorance, the destruction of which brings enlightenment. The figure is surrounded by a circular aureole of flames (jvala mala), symbolising the life of the universe. The front right hand is in abhaya mudra (giving assurance), and a cobra, bestowing protection, is coiled round the forearm; the rear right hand holds the drum (damaru: symbol of creation) by means of a cord which binds it to the back of the second finger; the rear left hand holds the flame (agni: the element by which the universe will be finally destroyed); the front left arm is stretched across the body in the dancing gesture, gaja or danda hasta. The hair is dressed close to the crown and surmounted by a fan-shaped headdress of Kondrai leaves (Cassia fistula L.) bearing a crescent moon, Datura flower, skull and cobra. Behind the head there is a flower-like siras chakra (disc for hanging garlands). The braided locks which originally flowed out to the sides are broken off and missing. A thin sash twisted round the waist has its ends flowing to one side. The costume consists of tiger-skin loin cloth worn with a girdle, the latter with beaded festoons. Other details include a multi-threaded sacred cord (one thread of which is divided at the chest); spiral keyura armlets; ear-pendants (makara kundala on the right, patra kundala on the left); padasaras on the feet, and a garter with bell above the right ankle. The image is mounted on a lotus pedestal with holes for attachment to a processional carrier. Traces of encrusted carbonate matter in crevices indicate a former period of earth burial.
Dimensions
  • Height: 85.2cm
  • Width: 75cm
Style
Gallery label
The Hindu God Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance 1100–1200 Chola period Holes in the base show that this image was carried in procession. It depicts the great Hindu god Shiva performing a wild dance of creation and destruction. In his hands are a drum as symbol of creation and a flame as the element by which the universe will be destroyed. An aureole of flames represents the life of the universe. Underfoot lies the dwarf of ignorance. Copper alloy Southern India (Tamil Nadu) Bequeathed by Rt-Hon. Lord Ampthill GCSI, GCIE, Governor of Madras 1900–6 Museum no. IM.71-1935 (06/06/2011)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Lord Ampthill
Object history
Bequeathed in 1935 by Lord Ampthill (Governor of Madras, 1900-1906).
Production
Reportedly found in Tinnevelly District, South India

Attribution note: Spectrographic analysis of the metal showed copper with more than 2% each of lead and tin; more than 0.2% of zinc, iron and silicone, and smaller traces of silver and aluminium. The aureole is reinforced with an inner hoop of iron which has swollen in process of oxidisation and split the bronze in parts.

Iron is present along the entire length of the aureole including the section behind the prostrate figure at the base, suggesting that it forms a complete hoop inside the bronze. During conservation treatment in 1971-3 iron was reported to be visible in one damaged area of the hoop, which was subsequently treated.
Bibliographic references
  • E.B.Havell, Eleven Plates Representing Works of Indian Sculpture Chiefly in English Collections, India Society, London, 1911, plate V.
  • K.N.Sitaram, "Indian Bronzes," Connoisseur, London, vol. LXIX, 1924, p.73.
  • For Nataraja symbolism see A.K.Coomaraswamy, The Dance of Siva. Cat. of Museum of Fine Art Boston, pt.II 87-93.
  • T.A.G.Rao, Elements of Hindu Iconography, 1916, vol II, part I, p.223
  • Exhibited: Art of India exhibition-1931 Burlington Fine Arts Club.
  • Irwin, John, C., A Brief Guide to Indian Art, H.M.S.O. 1962 fig.5
  • Guy, John: Indian Temple Sculpture, London V & A Publication, 2007, p.105. pl.114. ISBN 971851775095
  • Exhibited at the Festival of Empire Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace, 1911
Collection
Accession number
IM.71-1935

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Record createdFebruary 13, 2000
Record URL
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