Natraj

Natraj

Ellora Caves, Rashtrakuta Dynasty, 8th Century CE

           We are all used to seeing Lord Shiva as Natraj ( the Lord of the dance ) dancing in a circle of fire. But here the sculptor has captured a more dynamic (Tandav ) pose of the dancer. The Lord no longer stands silently on one leg; instead he whirls around with his torso twisted to the point that while we see his broad chest from the front, we also see his hips from the side. He flays his six arms dramatically in the air. One of the hands carries his 'damaru ' ( his small hand held drum). The artist has contrasted the forceful movement of the dancer with the quietly sitting figures at the bottom.  The Lord is a huge figure compared to the small figures in the forefront.  This is one of the most dynamic image of Lord Shiva as Natraj.

          While we sit quietly at home,  we don't realise the churning that goes on either under our feet at the center of the earth, or outside in the cosmos. But the concept embodied in the figure is about the eternal cycle of life and death,  of creation and destruction.  The forceful figure of the Lord symbolises the violent cycle of creation and destruction.  We passively sit as an audience viewing this immortal cycle. But most of us ignorant of this eternal and natural cycle.