Author: Sharada Srinivasan

Source: World Archaeology, Volume 36, Number 3, September 2004 , pp. 432-450(19)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

This paper explores the origins of the Nataraja cult in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The trajectory of the dancing Shiva is traced: from the processional worship of metal icons outside the sanctum to the cultic elevation of the Nataraja bronze into the sanctum at Chidambaram. Archaeometallurgical, iconographic and literary evidence discussed shows that the Nataraja bronze, depicting Shiva's anandatandava or 'dance of bliss', was a Pallava innovation (seventh to mid-ninth century), rather than tenth-century Chola as widely believed. That this formulation was informed of 'cosmic' or metaphysical connotations is also argued on the basis of the testimony of the hymns of Tamil saints.

Keywords: Nataraja; Shiva; bronze; Pallava; cosmic dance; archaeometallurgy; Tamil poems

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1468936042000282726821

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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