This sculpture of Nataraja confronts the viewer with an image of divinity that is at once direct in its impact, yet cosmic in its implication. Not only this, with his smiling face, slender, smooth legs, and elegant posture, he is the very epitome of beauty.
Shiva as Nataraja is the supremely handsome Lord of Dance, whose rhythmic movements are imbued with profound philosophical undertones. Shiva’s dance of bliss is as much pregnant with the possibility of destroying the world into extinction, as it is with recreating it through the same dance.
The flames in the left hand signify the aspect of destruction, while the drum in the right symbolizes the energy of creation. The dwarf under the Lord's left feet stands for the darkness of ignorance which must be annihilated for true realization to dawn, the latter being symbolized by Shiva's rasied right leg.
Tanjore Nataraja refers to the iconography of Lord Shiva as found in the Brhadeshvara Temple of Tanjore (Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu. Having been built during the Chola dynasty rule, it houses an overpowering Nataraja murti fashioned sometime in the 11th century. The Nataraja that you see on this page is a contemporary reproduction of the incomparable Tanjore Nataraja. Sculpted from brass, the dancing figure is mounted on a plinth that is almost one-third the height of the murti.
On the back of the avidya-roopi Apasmara (the grotesque personification of ignorance) dances the king (‘raja’) of the performing arts (‘nata’), the resplendent Nataraja. His all-powerful tandava has the power to annihilate everything (flames, in the left posterior hand) and give birth anew (damroo, in the right posterior). His locks are flaying about His head from the momentum of His tandava.
A crown the shape of a multihooded snake sits on His head. The predominance of snakes - from in His hair to wound around His limbs and waist and neck - is a signature element of the Nataraja iconography. A perfectly circular aureole frames the slender figure engaged in tandava. With the openwork and the ring of flames emanating from the outer edge, its style is very much in keeping with the Brhadeshvara idiom.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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