The Nataraja Shiva carries a drum in the upper right hand. This connotes sound, the vehicle of speech. The upper left hand of Nataraja bears on its palm a tongue of flame. At the end of the Kali Age, Fire will consume creation. While the drum is symbolic of the act of creation, the flame of fire is suggestive of destruction. The second right hand of Shiva is in the protection attitude. This hand is pointed downwards towards the uplifted left foot. This foot is suggestive of salvation. Shiva dances on the prostrate body of the dwarf Apasmara Purusha who symbolizes ignorance or darkness. The darkness of ignorance can be destroyed by the attainment of knowledge, which releases man from the bondage of existence.
In most images, the figure of Nataraja is encompassed by a ring of flame, but in this batik work, the craftsperson chose to do away with it. As a result there is clarity in each movement and shape without being clouded by the prominent ring of flames and light.
This description by Kiranjyot.
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