Many moons ago, my great grandmother – Bala Chitti as she was popularly known – had composed an incredible song in the praise of Nataraja. The lyrics went:
Ananda Tirunatanam, Aranudanai Parvatiyum
Arputhamay Aadi Nindral, Anay varam Kondada
Shobhaa ne..
(And it continues in the same vein describing the dance. essentially celebrating the Beauty & Joy of the Celestial Dance. i could translate it, but it ends up sounding so bland and contrived that the beauty of the description is lost.)
This was traditionally sung in the family during oil baths. What is the connection – i know not. But, it was one of those songs that has been with me since childhood. Shiva as Nataraja – needless to say – is one of the forms of God for whom I have tremendous affection. The following is a Tanjore painting of Nataraja -accompanied by Vishnu, Parvati and the rest of the pantheon. A different kind of representation from the Chola bronzes that we are all used to seeing.
Today, i came across this lovely drawing of the Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. It is part of the British Museum Collection and was sketched in 1762.
Do visit the site it is a treasure trove of images of India from a long time ago.
Harini, the collectbritaon site is wonderful – is a joy going thru the collections – thanks for pointing it out here…
Harini, the collectbritain site is wonderful – is a joy going thru the collections – thanks for pointing it out here…
Did you check out their illustrations of Old Madras? I’ve been a regular to that site from the day Chenthil discovered it as part of his Madras Trivia series.
BTW – I biked to Chidambaram very recently, and I’ll tell you something, the place isn’t what it used to be.
Did you check out their illustrations of Old Madras? I’ve been a regular to that site from the day Chenthil discovered it as part of his Madras Trivia series.
BTW – I biked to Chidambaram very recently, and I’ll tell you something, the place isn’t what it used to be.
hi Charu
i am in love with the site. i have found so many beautiful pics of old Bombay. And it is really from a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
ravages, i have just discovered the site and am going to enjoy its offerings leisurely over the next few days. i really don’t have a reference point for Chennai – i have hardly visited. i am thro’ and thro’ a bombay girl. but the pictures look sensational.
i would be very surprised if Chindambaram looked just the same as it did in the pic 🙂
Awesome stuff. check out their brit photos. they are brilliant!
delightful collection. thanks.