Nataraja Artistry of Lord Shiva

 

Latest context

• In September,2023 World’s tallest Nataraja statue installed in front of Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• This 27-foot sculpture weighs about 20 tonnes.

Key Highlights

• This unique statue of Nataraja, crafted from an ‘Ashta dhatu’ (copper, zinc, lead, tin, silver, gold, mercury and iron) by artisans from Tamil Nadu, weigh eighteen tonnes.
• This statue is sculpted by sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapaty of SwamiMalai, Tamil Nadu.
• The design of this Nataraja statue draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols, which are as following:

    

• This offers a deep insight into the history and religious symbolism of Lord Shiva’s dancing form.
• A lost wax technique or method has been used to create a Nataraja sculpture in Bharat Mandapam.

Historical and religious symbolism of lord shiva’s dancing form

• Symbolisms in Nataraja’s attributes

• The Nataraja is depicted in four arms, each holding symbolic object that are meant to express deeper meanings.
• Nataraja holds a damru in his upper right hand, which draws all creatures into his rhythmic motion, and in his upper left arm, he weilds Agni (fire), symbolizing his power to destroy the universe.
• There's a crushed dwarf-like figure under one of Nataraja's legs that represents illusion and world distractions.
• One ear of shiva has a male earring while the other has a female.

• This represent the fusion of male and female and is often referred to as Ardhanarishwar.

• Twisted snake around the arm of Shiva

• It symbolises the kundalini power, which resides in the human spine in the dormant stage.
• If aroused, one can attain true consciousness.

 

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