The Dance of Siva Religion, Art and Poetry in South India [Hardcover]

Siva's Dance of Bliss in poetry, iconography, ritual and philosophy is examined here.A complete account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which is based on a remarkable Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya about 1300 AD. Siva is one of the two main gods of Hinduism. The book deals with the famous Chola Nataraja bronze SH today the best-known Hindu image SH the key location of Siva's Dance in South India, and the temple of Cidambaram. Dr Smith explores all aspects of Nataraja and the Goddess, and the temple, its priests and ritual. Relevant contemporary art from Cidambaram and neighbouring sites illuminates the text.A complete account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which is based on a remarkable Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya about 1300 AD. Siva is one of the two main gods of Hinduism. The book deals with the famous Chola Nataraja bronze SH today the best-known Hindu image SH the key location of Siva's Dance in South India, and the temple of Cidambaram. Dr Smith explores all aspects of Nataraja and the Goddess, and the temple, its priests and ritual. Relevant contemporary art from Cidambaram and neighbouring sites illuminates the text.The Dance of Siva is a complete account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which is based on a remarkable Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya about 1300 AD. Siva is one of the two main gods of Hinduism. The book deals with the famous Chola Nataraja bronze--today the best-known Hindu image, the key location of Siva's Dance in South India, and the temple of Cidambaram. Dr. Smith explores all aspects of Nataraja and the Goddess, and the temple, its priests and ritual. Relevant contemporary art from Cidambaram and neighboring sites illuminates the text.List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The Natar
ja bronze; 2. The Cidambaram myth; 3. Temple, priests and ritual; 4. The Hall of Consciousness, the Heart of the Universe; 5. Zaiva Siddh
nta and Ved
nta; 6. The Goddess; 7. Bhiks
tana; 8. Bhairava the Terrible and other fls¦