The Colas c36.78

c36.78

Fig. 63. Naṭarāja. Bronze. In the Bṛhadīśvara temple at Tanjore. It is installed in the *sabhā* in the temple and offered worship to this day. It was called, as is known from the inscriptions in the temple, *Āḍavallān*. This is one of the most magnificent Naṭarāja figures so far known. Śiva's dancing on Apasmāra is exquisitely poised. The face radiates supreme bliss and spiritual splendour. The swings and pulls of the limbs are highly rhythmic, the balance being sought to be maintained by the whirling locks of hair arranged schematically and by the gracefully flowing ends of the *udarabandha*. The arch of glory, with beautifully worked *makara* heads on it, encompasses the figure and adds beauty to the figure. Rarely this kind of *makara* motif occurs in such figures.