The Dance of Siva

Content Page

• Who is Siva• The Story• Various Dances of Siva• Poses of Siva Tandava Dance• Nadanta Dance of Nataraja• Temple of Siva in Singapore

Who is Siva

• God of Destroyer and love the burning ground• God of Creator• Siva is everywhere• Lord of Dancers/ King of Actors.• Cosmos is his theatre.• Eros Protogonos of Lucian.• Origin of Siva’s dance becomes activity of

God.

The Story• In the forest of the Taragam lives a great number

of Related Sages, Formed to explain sacred writing.

• The sages were at first led to violent argument among themselves, but their anger was soon directed against Siva.

• Destroy Siva using spirits. – A fierce tiger was created in sacrificial fire. – Monstrous Serpent– Dangerous Dwaft, Muyalaka

Various Dances of Siva

• Evening dance– Referred to as Katha Sarit Sagara

• Tandava– Performed in cemetries and burning grounds– Ten-armed dances wildly with Devi (Shakti and

Kali), accompanied by capering imps.

• Nadanta dance of Nataraja in Golden hall of Chidambaram, center of the Universe

Poses of Siva Tandava Dance

Nadanta dance of Nataraja

The gestures of the dance represent Siva's five activities:•creation (symbolized by the drum)•protection (by the "fear not" hand gesture)•destruction (by the fire)•embodiment (by the foot planted on the ground)•release (by the foot held aloft)

Hair may seen a wreathing cobra, a skull and a mermaid figure of Ganga.

The crescent moon keeps Kama, the god of nightly love.Creates different seasons and rejuvenates life. 

Snake coiled around his upper arms and neck symbolizing the power he has over the most deadly of creatures.

The lower left hand points down to the demon Muyalaka.

Uplifted left foot, grants eternal bliss to those who approach him.

The other foot Stand upon the dwarf of ignorance, allowing the birth of knowledge.

Temple of Siva in Singapore

Question & Answer

Thank You

Credits:– http://www.lotussculpture.com/nataraja1.htm– The Dance of Siva by Ananda k. Coomaraswamy

Group Members: Ze Min, Zhi Xian, Claudia