Nataraja Statue: Significance in Art, Culture, Religion, and Science

In most Hindu homes, you may have seen a statue of a dancing male deity. He is none other than Nataraja, a form of Lord Shiva, the god of destruction in Hinduism. He is the cosmic dancer, and his dance is called Thandavam. He dances to create as well as destroy.

In the word ‘Nataraja,’ ‘Nata’ means “dance, art, drama,’ while ‘Raja’ means “lord or king." Thus, Nataraja means ‘king or lord of dance.’

As Lord Nataraja, Shiva carries out 3 tasks - creation, destruction, and preservation. Nataraja is often portrayed in the Natya Shastra pose, holding various mudras.

The bronze Nataraja statue is not just an object of veneration but also a stunning piece of art that lends beauty to one’s home.

In this article, we shall learn more about the history and significance of the Nataraja statue.

Nataraja Statue: Origins and Evolution

The oldest Nataraja sculpture goes back to the 6th century CE. It is from the Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple. This temple was built by the Pallava ruler, Mahendravarman. Among other early appearances are the stone sculptures at the Ellora and Badami caves dating back to the 6th century.

The current form of the bronze statue appeared during the golden era of the Chola kings in Tamil Nadu. This was around the 8th and 10th centuries.  The Chola bronzes were less than 4 feet tall.

Lord Nataraja’s relief also turned up in Angkor Wat, Bali, Cambodia, and Central Asia.

Iconography and Symbolism

The Nataraja statue represents divine energy, cosmic rhythm, and the recurring cycle of life. Every aspect of it has a unique story and meaning.

Typically, the statue depicts Shiva performing the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss, or the dance of creation and destruction. This dance resonates with the rhythm of all the 3 worlds – heaven, earth, and the netherworld.

In Shiva’s right upper hand is the damaru, a hand drum. It was from this damaru that the very first sound of creation emerged. Agni is in his left upper hand. It is the fire that annihilates the Universe.

His right lower hand displays the Abhayamudra that stands for protection.

Under his feet is a dwarflike figure. It is a demon called Apasmara. Apasmara represents illusion that is responsible for the sufferings of human beings. Shiva’s front left hand points to his raised feet. The gesture indicates refuge for suffering souls.

In this form, Shiva conveys that those who believe in him will attain salvation.

Nataraja’s Aesthetic Appeal

For many, the Nataraja statue is an iconic symbol infused with religious meaning. For others, the statue is a beautiful object of art.

The Chola artisans were able to capture in their rendering of the statue the ideal balance between form and expression. Shiva’s serene expression and the movement of dance are perfectly delineated by the statue. The intricate work gives the statue its fluidity, grace, and beauty. The artist’s depiction of Shiva’s flowing hair is also a testimony to his artist’s skill.

The Nataraja statue testifies to the exquisite craftsmanship of the Chola artisans and the importance the Chola kings gave to art and architecture.

Significance in Culture and History

The significance of the Nataraja statue in Hinduism and Indian culture is substantial. It has pride of place in the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram.

The Nataraja statue represents cosmic balance. It underscores the link between creation, destruction, and preservation.

Fierce in mien, clothed in lion skin and body covered in ashes, Nataraja statue illustrates Shiva’s dual nature. As a benevolent and compassionate deity, he radiates a divine glow.

The statue has also inspired many works of art, literature, and architecture in Tamil Nadu. The classical dance form, Bharatanatyam, is closely associated with Nataraja. As the king of Natya or dance, he is highly revered by dancers.

Nataraja in Science

The Nataraja statue depicts a dancing Shiva encircled by a ring of flames. One leg is raised, and the other rests on the demon of ignorance, Apasmara. The dance depicts the cycle of life. It conveys that everything in the Universe is in a state of flux, from atoms to entire galaxies.

It reminds us that change is the only constant and reflects the pulse of existence. The Nataraja statue is all about energy. The world runs on energy. There is energy in the food we eat and the Sun. The Natraja statue is pure energy in action.

Shiva’s dance is like a model for the functioning of the Universe. His movements are full of life, and they never end. This resembles the energy all around us. It keeps moving and changing form. Also, it can't be created or destroyed. This idea is central to the science of quantum physics, which explores the working of tiny particles like atoms.

The similarities between Nataraja's dance and quantum physics were first noticed by Fritjof Capra, a famous physicist. He observed that the movements of atoms and molecules within a cell mirrored Nataraja’s dance. The endless creation and destruction of energy and matter in the Universe replicate the rhythm of Shiva's dance. Thus, the Nataraja statue illustrates scientific principles, too.

Shiva's dance becomes a metaphor for the dance of particles that are present in all things visible and invisible. It remind us that everything in the Universe has a rhythm and is interconnected.

Nataraja’s cosmic dance also signifies the cycles of nature. Everything in nature has its own cycle and season.

The birth and death of stars, the earth’s revolution around the Sun, day and night, the flowering of trees, etc., are all part of a large design. Shiva's dance reveals how Nature moves to this pattern. The Nataraja statues that adorn many homes, cultural centers, and temples depict this cosmic truth.

It is also why there is a grand Nataraja statue at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Its presence here indicates that ancient Western science can, at times, look to ancient Indian knowledge to decode the mysteries of the Universe.

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