Tandavam (also known as Tandava Nrtya) is performed by Hindu god Shiva. This dance form reveals the violent nature of Lord Shiva, first as the creator and later as the destroyer of universe. It is the source of origination of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Ananda Tandava depicts his dancing in joy.
Tandava Lakshanam is the 4th chapter of Natya Shashtra that discusses 32 Angaharas and 108 Karanas. When hand gestures are combined with feet to form a dance posture, it is Karana and the composition of seven or more Karanas is Angahara.
Bharat Muni says that Lord Shiva was very much fond of dancing and so he performed it every evening. All these Karanas of Tandava can be employed in dance, fight, personal combats and other special movement like strolling.
Nataraja of Chidambaram is the expert dancer. He has four hands. He wears the Ganga and the crescent moon on His matted locks. He holds Damaru in His right hand. He shows Abhaya Mudra to His devotees with His raised left hand. The significance is: “O devotees! Do not be afraid. I shall protect you all.” One left hand holds the fire. The other right hand points down on the Asura Muyalaka who is holding a cobra. He has raised the left foot in a beautiful manner.
The sound of the drum invites the individual souls to His feet. It represents Omkara. All the Sanskrit alphabets have come out of the play of the Damaru. Creation arises from Damaru. The hand which shows Abhaya Mudra gives protection. Destruction proceeds from fire. The raised foot indicates Maya or illusion. The hand which points down shows that His feet are the sole refuge of the individual souls. Tiruakshi represents Omkara or Pranava.
Chidambaram is a sacred place of pilgrimage in South India. All the Tamil saints have sung hymns in praise of Nataraja. There is Akasa Linga here which indicates that Lord Siva is formless and attribute less. The popular saying goes: “He who dies in Banaras with Ramanam in his lips and heart, attains salvation. He who remembers Arunachalam or Tiruvannamalai attains Mukti. He who gets Darsana of Nataraja attains final emancipation.” Real Chidambaram is within the heart. Nataraja dances in the hearts of devotees who have burnt egoism, lust, hatred, pride and jealousy.
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