Lord Shiva Dancing as Natraj in the Assembly of Gods

Lord Shiva Dancing as Natraj in the Assembly of Gods

Ellora Caves,Rashtrakuta Dynasty,8th Century CE

               According to legend Lord Shiva performed the first dance in an assembly of gods. This over life size panel depicts the said moment.  While a few gods come flying in on their vehicles, Parvati and others are already seated. In fact, Parvati is shown playing a harp in the front row, while other gods are attentively watching the performance. 

               It is said that Lord Shiva also taught dance to Bharat Muni,  who later wrote the first book on dramatology called the Bharat Natya Shastra. Written in 2nd century BCE, the book not only deals with drama, but also elaborately deals with dance. It divides dance into three parts: pure dance, part pure dance and part expression, and pure expression.  It talks about the purpose of performing arts, about the hastamudra  (hand gestures), the movement of the body or body postures. 

              All the classical Indian dances today are based on Bharat Natya Shastra. All with our art, our classical dances also travelled to other parts of Asia in the ancient period. Thus, the dance forms of China, Japan, Indo-China,  and of East Indies are all derived from Bharat Natya Shastra. Ironically, the Japanese have written the best book on Hastamudras.  We prefer not to talk about our own art and achievements.