ID: 700008623 Page link: http://vocab.getty.edu/page/cona/700008623	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) (statue; unknown Indian (Tamil Nadu); ca. 11th century; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, U...; 1987.80.1)

Note: As a symbol, Shiva Nataraja is a brilliant invention. It combines in a single image Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, world-famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva's dance is set within a flaming halo. The god holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhaya mudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarflike figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul. The energy of his dance makes his hair fly to the sides. The symbols imply that, through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation.

Titles:

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) (preferred,C,U,English-P,U,U)

Catalog Level: item

Work Types:

statue [300047600] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), visual works (works), <visual works by material or technique>, sculpture (visual works), <sculpture by subject type>)

Classifications:

sculptures (preferred)

Creation Date: ca. 11th century

Creator Display:

unknown Indian (Tamil Nadu) [preferred,VP]

unknown Indian (Indian cultural designation) [500125241]

Locations:

Other: Creation: Tamil Nādu [7001797] India (nation), Asia (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Current: Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, United States) [500125157] Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: 1987.80.1

Credit Line: Gift of R. H. Ellsworth Ltd., in honor of Susan Dillon, 1987

Address Note: On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 240

Display Materials: Copper alloy

	copper alloy [300010942]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material, metal, <metal by composition or origin>, nonferrous metal, <copper and copper alloy>)

Dimensions: H. 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm); Diam. 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm)

Cultures:

Indian (preferred)

Style/Period/Group/Movement:

	Chola [300018913] (preferred,period)
	.....(Styles and Periods Facet, Styles and Periods (hierarchy name), <styles| periods| and cultures by region>, Asian, South Asian, Indian (South Asian), Post-Gupta)

General Subject:

religion and mythology (preferred)

Specific Subjects:

	Shiva [901000021]
	.....((Hindu characters, Hindu iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)) (ICON)

	Nataraja [901002467]
	.....((Shiva, Hindu characters, Hindu iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)) (ICON)

	dance (performance event) [300389778]
	.....(Activities Facet, Events (hierarchy name), events (activities), cultural events, entertainment events, performances (creative events)) (AAT)

	abhaya mudra [300386135]
	.....(Associated Concepts Facet, Associated Concepts (hierarchy name), multidisciplinary concepts, body position, gesture, mudra) (AAT)

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Movable Works

.......... Movable Works by class: drawings, paintings, prints, other two-dimensional media

Sources and Contributors:
Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)	........ [VP]
	........ Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)

Subject: ....... [VP]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)