A statue of the
Hindu god
Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. In this form, Shiva performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for the god
Brahma to start the process of creation. A
Telugu and
Tamil concept, Shiva was first depicted as Nataraja in the famous
Chola bronzes and sculptures of
Chidambaram. The form is present in most Shiva temples in South India, and is the main deity in
Chidambaram Temple, the foremost
Shaivist temple.Photo:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
A statue of the
Hindu god
Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. In this form, Shiva performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for the god
Brahma to start the process of creation. A
Telugu and
Tamil concept, Shiva was first depicted as Nataraja in the famous
Chola bronzes and sculptures of
Chidambaram. The form is present in most Shiva temples in South India, and is the main deity in
Chidambaram Temple, the foremost
Shaivist temple.Photo:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art