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The earliest historical illustration of dancing Shiva in
accordance with Natya Sastra tradition is in the Chalukyan sanctuaries
of Badami and Aihole in Karnataka in mid 6th century AD. In cave 1 at
Badami, the 18 armed Shiva dancing on a lotus platform moves all his
hands at the right side held as specified in Bharata’s Natya Sastra,
such as kapitha, sukatunda, pataka, sandmsa, mushti, katakamukha and dolahasta. Another set of left hands hold the veena and other attributes as specified in Shaivagama. The sculptor appears to have been well versed in the Natya Sastra. He symbolically portrayed Shiva as the preceptor of natyagama dancing with joy on a lotus pedestal, a rudraveena in his hand indicating his excellence in music. The drummer or urdhvaka is thrilled in accompanying the cosmic dance and it appears Ganesha has also picked up the kapitha hasta and is enjoying the dance of Shiva.
(‘Classical dance heritage of Karnataka’ edited by Dr. Choodamani
Nandagopal, chapter ‘Dance heritage of Karnataka,’ Dr. Choodamani
Nandagopal, 2012)
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