Natasha and Nataraja- Shiva is popularly revered as the Lord of Dance and Dancers in Hindu tradition. Usually associated with Tandava (the dance of annihilation), Shiva danced for many reasons. One of them being his beloved Goddess Parvati. After Devi Parvati completed her Tapasya (austerities) and was blessed by Shiva to attain him as her husband, she asked Mahadeva to visit her home and take the blessings of her parents, as per tradition.
Taking the form of a divine dancer named Sunartak (he who dances beautifully) Shiva entered the snow-capped palace of Himalaya (Parvati’s father), and performed an enchanting dance. The painting here seems to be inspired by Shiva’s dance for Parvati, in her home. Surrounded by gods and heavenly beings, Shiva beats his damru (drum) and twirls, with Parvati present in her divine four-armed, red-skinned, and queenly form as Bhuvaneshwari (the sovereign of the Universe). On her side, female attendants and residents of the royal palace stand.
Although Shiva Purana (where this legend is mentioned) does not mention goddess Parvati taking her divine form. Another bewildering aspect is Lord Ganesha, standing behind his father, who would not have been born before the marriage of Shiva-Parvati. The artist in a personal retelling of the tale, brings past, present, and future together, as a result of the meeting of Shiva-Shakti, the primordial father and mother, for whose divine Lilas (actions) Kaala (time) and its rules do not apply.
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