Last in brass is the popular image of Nataraja. The inverted lotus pedestal is placed on another rectangular pedestal. With his right foot crushing the dwarf of ignorance crouching on the lotus, Shiva throws up his left leg across his body. With one of his right hands, he reassures the devotee, while the corresponding left arm is brought across the body in 'kasihasta' to point to the raised left foot as the source of salvation. The second right hand plays the small hand drum (damaru) to signify the rhythm of creation, while fire in the corresponding left hand is the agent of destruction as well as purification. The surrounding ring of fire represents the cyclical motion of the cosmos. Apart from the legs and arms, the sense of movement is graphically conveyed by the stylized hair flying on both sides of the head and the long end of the sash, which also fills some empty space. The figure of Apasmara purusa looks up to Shiva as he balances himself on the former's body. The dancing Shiva, Nataraja, represents in his art, creation, preservation, destruction release from bondage and the cycle of life and death.
Text created by Renu Rana..
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