Studies in Indian Art c14.s2.20

c14.s2.20

4-5. Bas-reliefs (2'—2"×1'—10½"; 2'—7"×1'—7½") showing god Śaṅkara in his *tāṇḍava* dance. The eight-armed figure of Śiva holds a canopy of elephant skin on the head with two hands; of the remaining three right hands one plays the *ḍamaru*, another touches the chin of Pārvatī seated on his proper right and playing on a *vīṇā*, while the third one is shown in the gaja-hasta pose. The corresponding left hands are held in abhaya-mudrā, grasping the trident and placed at the hip. An attendant gaṇa is seated at the left corner with a pair of upright drums in front. In the second bas-relief Pārvatī is seated in the lower left corner. The sculptures are expressive of movement combined with serenity. They maybe dated to about the 8th-9th century and are reminiscent of the best traditions of Ellora art.