Dance
Historical background
Like music, dance performances are ubiquitous in the visual art.
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: The creatures generated by the rishis yajna attack Shiva: On the right Shiva dances the ananda tandava (dance of bliss) before Vishnu and some devotees; Bottom row: Shesha and his son before Vishnu who has just finished his account of the Daruka forest incident. Vishnu encourages Shesha to worship Shiva until he will be given the boon to see the ananda tandava. On the right, Shiva mounted on Nandi returns to Mount Kailasa.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the north (E)
Date: 17th century
Description: The Chit Sabha (Hall of Consiousness) and the Kanaka Sabha (Golden Hall); Shiva has arrived to perform the ananda tandava (dance of bliss); The devotees have gathered to watch the dance.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the north (E)
Date: 17th century
Description: Bottom row: The Kirata (hunter) accompanies the youth to meet Vyaghrapada; The youth
pays homage to the sage who takes him to Chidambaram; Top row (right): Patanjali and Vyaghrapada; (left) The dance of Shiva is witnessed by Patanjali, Vyaghrapada, Simhavarman and a further figure.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the north (W)
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row( from left to right): Nataraja and Shivakami enshrined in the Chit Sabha (disappeared), opposite which a dancer and musicians are performing while Tunmata looks on; The next scene depicts a Brahmin trying to persuade Tunmata, who has been seized by a soldier, to mend his ways. Two ladies and a donkey carry the booty of his robberies. Bottom row: Tunmata bends down to touch a snake, he is bitten: Yama’s servants seize him. On the left: Shiva’s ganas attack Yama’s servants.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Description: Top row; Devotees before Nataraja; Bottom row mostly disappeared but for a fragment depicting a dancer and a cymbal player. The sequence ends with
the depiction of people bathing in a tank.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, second bay from the south
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati, detail: Tumburu, Narada and Bhairava (?), Vishnu and Sarasvati. Above the main scenes (left), kinnaras playing musical instruments and buildings inhabited by rishis (right). Below the main scenes: a dancer, two kettledrum and four trumpet players.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, second row from west
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The wedding of Shiva and Parvati, detail; Three goddesses bearing trays; Bhringi, Adhikaranandi and Ganesha. Immediately above are kinnaras playing musical instruments and buildings inhabited by rishis. Below: Musicians playing trumpets and kettledrums, and a dancer.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling, second row from west
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Vignettes, from left: Dvarapala; Musicians; Two dancing girls; Three ladies carrying trays with offerings; Two brahmins and a courtly figure; Two brahmins; Two brahmins performing a ritual; Sri Virupaksha enshrined.
Plaster sculptures: The wedding of Virupaksha and Pampambika.
Location: Karnataka Temple;Sri Virupaksha Temple;Hampi
Positioning: Open mandapa, ceiling beam above the entrance to the sanctuary
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Virabhadra watches a dance performance. On the right, a mridanga player and a group of ladies. Immediately behind the dancer is a cymbal player.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Bay immediately to the west of the circumambulatory passage
Date: Second half of the 17th century
Description: Seated goddess holding a sceptre with devotees, musicians and dancers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kailasanathar Temple;Nattam
Positioning: Open mandapa, beam beneath the ceiling, south section
Date: Second half of the 17th century
Description: Worshippers, musicians and dancers.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kailasanathar Temple;Nattam
Positioning: Open mandapa, beam beneath the ceiling. south section
Date: Second half of the 17th century
Description: Dancers and musicians.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kailasanathar Temple;Nattam
Positioning: Open mandapa, beam beneath the ceiling, south section
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