Nataraja

Nataraja ( Sanskrit: नटराज Nataraja [ nʌʈʌrɑ dʒʌ ː ] "King of Dance" ) is a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva. In its form as Nataraja Shiva leads to a cosmic dance ( Tandava ), which symbolizes the process of creation, destruction and re-creation of the universe. The figure of the Nataraja is in the year 1000 primarily known by many South Indian bronze sculptures from the time and today is one in the west to the famous symbols of Hinduism.

Iconography

As Nataraja Shiva appears in anthropomorphic form as a four-armed dancer in the midst of a flame circle. With his right leg stepping on the fallen dwarf demon apasmâra, the left leg is raised. In his upper right hand Nataraja holds the hourglass damaru, with his lower right hand he shows the gesture of protection ( abhayamudra ). From the left open palm burns a flame, with the other left hand points Nataraja on his foot.

Myth

The place where Shiva aufführte his dance, myth, Chidambaram said. The local Nataraja temple is dedicated to the dancing Shiva. From the Nataraja myth there are two versions.

History

The earliest known illustrations of Shiva Nataraja as incurred during the Gupta period in the fifth century and come from an archway from Sakor in the northern Indian Madhya Pradesh. A century later representations of the dancing Shiva in South India in the rock temples at Badami, Aihole, Elephanta and Ellora are detectable. Therefore, it is unclear whether the figure of Nataraja has a North or South Indian origin. From the 8th century representations Natarajas all over India are widespread. But great popularity Nataraja rose to only among the South Indian Chola kings (9th -13th century), which Nataraja chosen to symbolize their rule and acted as patrons of the arts. During the Chola period in South India originated numerous bronze sculptures Natarajas which are counted among the masterpieces of Indian art.

Due to the growing interest in the Indian culture and mysticism, the figure of Nataraja from the early 20th century came also in the West famous. Relevant impact did this in 1918 published essay The Dance of Shiva that coming from Sri Lanka Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy art historian. In the following years acquired many Western museums Nataraja bronzes. This became the dancing Shiva into an icon of Hinduism and is today the world next to the Om symbol of the most famous symbols of this religion.