Natraj

Natraj

Bronze Figure from South India, 18th Century AD,Thiruvananthapuram Museum, Kerala.

      Although this a bronze figure, it is unclear as to which part of South India it comes from. Whether it is a Chola Bronze or from Kerala itself, this is an issue which is ambiguous.  The fact that is claimed to be from the 18th century certainly excludes it from being a Chola Bronze for the Chola Dynasty was over by this age. 

     Despite its origin being unclear, the sculpture is lively and unique. The turn of the body, the uplifted leg make the figure come alive. It is unique as the ring of fire is not circular,  but more elliptical,  more like an arch. The figure is more delicate.  Notice the way, the fire is held between two fingers as though a flame has been plucked rather than being held in the hand. These differences clearly point to the "formulistic " usage of the posture, rather than innovating a new iconography. By the 18th century we has become imitators and we're no longer inventors. The decline had set in.