Most of the South Indian ancient temple sculptural dance poses resemble the Bharatha Natyam dance poses, and the 108 Thandava Karanas of Lord Siva. All the sources have been derived from the dance poses especially for archaeological decorative poses an ancient Hindu temple dance poses. Meanwhile, the Hindu sculptures derived guidelines from the ancient Hindu Agama Sashtra and Sutras.
That’s why the Hindu deity sculptural images all over the world must be the same. The basic structures of the Hindu deities are the same, yet the basic style of the statues differ from place to place. If we analyse the cause of the differences we will come to the conclusion that these slight variations arise due to the local influences of the area, where these particular sculptures were made.
Sri Lankan Hindu temple sculptures are almost the same as the South Indian temple sculptures, yet to some extent, these sculptures are being influenced by the local traditions and regional influences. It could be observed by the style of the structures of the sculptures. It is a must that each temple deity, the sculpture should be based on a certain defined philosophy.
For instance, Lord Nataraja’s statue all over the Hindu areas and Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu are almost the same, for instance, the Lord Siva Nataraja statue which was found in Polonnaruwa is the same in philosophical aspects. But the structural style of the statue seemed to be different from the normal Hindu Nataraja statues. This is due to the regional and cultural influence of the area. This particular Lord Nataraja’s statue implies the Buddhist sculptural influence.
Ideological influence
Similarly, the ancient Sivalingam structure found in Polonnaruwa is also entirely different from the normal Sivalingam statues in the Hindu temples. One could assume that this is due to the cultural, regional, and ideological influence of sculptors.
The East Indian Odisha state was formally known as Orissa. Similarly, in Odisha, its state dance form Odissi and the decorative dance sculptures are unique in nature. Odissi dance forms are deeply enrooted in the Natyasastra and Hindu mythology. This is found in various sculptures, paintings and inscriptions.
South Indian temples are the citadel of sculptures and paintings. In the history of Odisha, due to certain political changes and instability, the cultural survival and customs of the State were invariably affected. Anyhow, during the 6th century AD, the State entered into a new progressive and prosperous era. During the 7th century, for the first dancing deity Lord Nataraja (Siva) temple was built in Odisha. The images of Lord Nataraja of Odisha state are different from the images of Lord Nataraja images of other South Indian States.
The classical dance form of East Indian province of Odisha is Odissi. Earlier the Odisha State was known as Orissa. The word Orissa derived its name from Orda Desa. Natya Sastra of Bharatha Muni is the basic source of Indian and South East Asian dances. Like all Indian classical dance forms, Odissi is also based on Natya Sastra and Hindu mythology. This is found in various sculptures, paintings and inscriptions. The great Jain emperor Karavela was a great dancer and an accompanist musician.
Political changes
Due to his keen interest in music and dance, he himself arranged numerous music and dance festivals. In history of Odisha due to certain political changes and instability, the cultural survival and customs of the State were affected.
The sixth Century AD was a steady period for cultural progress in Odisha. During the seventh century, for the first time, the dancing deity Lord Nataraja (Siva) temple was built in Odisha. The image of Lord Nataraja found in Odisha differs from the image of lord Nataraja found in South Indian States.
South Indian image of Lord Nataraja is portrayed with four arms. But in Orissa, different poses of Lord Nataraj are depicted differently. The total number of arms of lord Nataraj differs differently in different places and temples.
The total number of arms varies from two to ten. This is evidenced by different Nataraj statues, temple paintings and temple sculptures depicted differently all over Odisha.
This could be seen in the famed Bhubaneswar Temple, Konarak Temple and Jaganath Temple of Puri. These temples depict and portray a variety of different avatars of Lord Nataraj.
Beside the dancing poses of Lord Nataraj, dancing images of Lord Ganesha, and dancing images of lord Krishna are beautifully carved in the Jaganath temple and various other shrines scattered all over the State of Orissa.
Feast for the eyes
The famed Konarak Temple which is described as the citadel of oriental architecture provides a wealth of feast for the eyes through the carved dancing figures and musicians. Dance and music were developed in and around the temples and environs. Performing dance in the temple became a part of temple rituals. There is plenty of descriptive information in various inscriptions. This tradition discontinued in many temples. It continued to flourish in the Jaganath Temple in Puri until recently.
The South Indian images o Lord Nataraja is mostly portrayed with four arms. But in Odisha, different poses of Lord Nataraja are depicted. The total number of arms of Lord Nataraja of Odisha state differs in different places and temples. The total number of arms varies from two to ten in Odisha. This is evidenced by different numerous Nataraja sculptures of Odisha. These temples depict and portray a variety of different avatars.