Nataraja: Last year, when the G-20 summit was held in Delhi in 2024, the grandeur of Bharat Mandapam was also being discussed all around. The beauty of this grandeur increased further when the huge statue of Nataraja was unveiled there. This statue of Nataraja made of Ashtadhatu is considered the tallest statue in the world. Nataraja is actually a form of Lord Shiva, in which he dances. The great yogi and Dhyani are also a precursor to Shiva dance and is considered the first dancer in the world. His dance form is called Nataraja.
India’s Nat Caste and Natraj
One of the ancient tribal groups of India is Nat caste. By the beginning of the 21st century, Nat caste people were found in villages and towns. It is still present in this remote village. These artists, who performed in fairs and demonstrating their gymnastics art on the roadside, belong to the Nat community, although now they have been replaced by the clowns seen in the mall, who sometimes showed some tricks by wearing a clown mask and showing some tricks Come
Nataraja is an example of three main skills of fine arts.
The Nataraja form of Shiva is the three major arts of fine arts: the most unique example of the onset of dance, sculpture and painting. You will find the nature of these three arts easily around the world, but the dance is basically the most important and it is necessary to talk about it first.
Does Shiva’s dance brings destruction?
Shiva’s Nataraja Avatar is actually the last dance posture (per Nidhi Mudra) displayed by him. The most famous fact about his dance is that he performs terrible dances like Tandava and as he arrives in his last posture, is destroyed and hence he is called a destroyer. This is an incomplete fact.
Two forms of Shiva Tandava
There are two forms of Shiva Tandava. Anand Tandava and Rudra Tandava. Rudra Tandava is also called anger Tandava. Shiva’s pleasure is Tandava Shringar Pradhan and it is a dance -creation dance of a new ideology. Which has positive energy and which is a form of consciousness. Anand Tandava begins with the original sound of ॐ.
On the topic of Tandava, Sadhguru says that in fact this world is just a dance. Everything is dancing here. Even the smallest particles of matter, atoms are dancing. Energy is flowing because it has speed. He says that dance is the only thing that brings the universe into existence. Only Shiva’s dance brings harmony in this existence.
Special feature of Shiva’s Tandava Mudra
Shiva’s Nataraja form is attractive as his other forms and has many definitions. Shiva is considered the god of all the arts present in the world. The famous ancient idol of Nataraja Shiva features four arms dance Shiva, which is surrounded by fire from all sides. With one of his legs he holds a dwarf (Akashma, also known as Apasmara), and lifted the other leg up in a dance posture. He is holding a drum in his right hand (which is lifted upwards).
Special feature of Shiva’s Nataraja Mudra
The sound of this damru has been called a symbol of creation. In this way this dance is a symbol of the creative power of Shiva, a definition that is different from the most famous logic and fact, because he is a destroyer. His other hand is raised upwards and there is fire. This fire itself is a symbol of destruction, it can be interpreted in such a way that Shiva creates with one hand and destroys with the other hand, but it should also be seen in such a way that Shiva creates with one hand and another He has controlled the destructive powers by holding fire in his hand.
Destruction of Abhaya Mudra, salvation and ignorance
His second right hand is raised in Abhay (or Ashish) posture, which protects us. Rahul Gandhi had earlier mentioned Abhay Mudra several times in Parliament. The right hand of Nataraja Shiva is raised in the posture of blessing, which is the oldest Abhaya Mudra. In which four fingers are connected and the thumb is also raised in the same direction. It is a symbol of five elements. Five elements, from which this entire creation is formed.
There is salvation at the feet of Shiva.
Shiva’s one leg is raised up, this is salvation. His second left hand points to his raised legs, indicating that Shiva is motivating him to walk on the path of salvation. This also means that salvation is at the feet of Shiva. The demon crushed under his feet is a symbol of ignorance which is destroyed by Shiva.
Shiva is the destroyer of ignorance.
Shiva destroys ignorance. Flames arising around are symbols of the universe. Snakes wrapped on their body are symbols of Kundalini Shakti. It is also a symbol of how our desires and aspirations push us back. His entire shape looks like a car. ॐ contains the universe within itself and the universe is contained in Shiva. This posture of Shiva is the tangible form of consciousness and represents the highest dimension of cultivation. This is the currency from which fine arts are born.
Nataraja is the father of all dance styles.
Nataraja is a source of inspiration for many Indian classical dance styles, especially Bharatanatyam. Many postures of Nataraja have been adopted in this ancient dance style. Nataraja’s currencies act as a fundamental element in the dance of Bharatanatyam. The dancer tries to express Nataraja’s spontaneous and rhythmic motion in his performance, causing the cosmic dance to come alive.
From Odissi, Kuchipudi to Kathak
Other Indian classical dances such as Odissi, Kuchipudi and Kathak are also inspired by Nataraja. He involves Nataraja’s specific hand postures and currencies in his performance, showing a close relationship between dance and religion in India. The real essence of Nataraja’s dance comes alive through these panoramic performances. Which establishes a relationship between the dancer, viewer and the deep philosopher and spiritual ideas hidden behind the art. Nataraja still inspires dancers, whether he is classical or modern, and it reflects his permanent power and timeless attraction.
