Shiva as 'cosmic dancer

On Pallava origins for the Nataraja bronze

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3200543
AutoresSharada Srinivasan (National Institute of Advanced Studies, autor de correspondencia)
Año2004
Volumen36
Número3
Páginas432-450
Fecha de publicación2004-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaWorld Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1468936042000282726821
OpenAlexW2017758947
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas10

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

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · BLISS · Bronze · Buddhism · Cult · Dance · Literature · Ninth · Tamil · Theology · Worship · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Eurasian Exchange Networks · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Philosophy