Hinduism: Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja)

 

Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja), c. 11th century, Copper alloy, Chola period, 68.3 x 56.5 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Hinduism is a different type of religion that does not have one specific God or person, but rather a handful of deities and goddesses. Although there is one entity that is considered superior to the others and is believed to be a supreme being in a sense. This entity goes by Brahman and is known to manifest into different forms. "For Hindus, reaching salvation is understanding that everything is in union. The different names and forms that a god can take is immaterial as they are essentially Brahman." (Dr. Melody Rod-ari, 2018) In this image above we have the god known as Shiva who is known to be "the destroyer." In Hinduism it is believed that all things naturally come to an end so that they can essentially begin again, and Shiva is the one who initiates this so called end so that an new beginning can start. (F. Khalid, n.d.)

 

This sculpture symbolizes the dance of Shiva and the circle he stands within represents this endless cycle of creation and destruction of life and the universe. In his upward right hand he holds a drum that beats to the creation and passing of time. Along with the hair strands they also share a representation of space and its relation to the universe. His face remains calm and content as to show what eternal life can be. A beautiful piece to show the never-ending cycle of creation and destruction of life and the universe. 

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/india-art/a/shiva-as-lord-of-the-dance-nataraja

https://smarthistory.org/hinduism-and-buddhism-an-introduction/