Speaker 
 
Nartana Premachandra 
Classical Indian Dancer 
Dances of India

My name is Nartana Premachandra, and I’m a classical Indian dancer.

The statue of Nataraja is as familiar to me as water. Nataraja means “King of Dance” and is a manifestation of the ancient deity Shiva, whose roots lie in the Indus Valley Civilization, as a dancer; whose dazzling being tramples the demon of ignorance; whose rhythms are the incessant transformations of the universe.
I have practiced bharata natyam, a style of classical Indian dance, since I could walk. And early on, every classical Indian dancer learns to bring into life the stance of Nataraja.

Hold your right leg still, with just a slight knee bend. Slowly lift the left to cross your body so your foot points toward the crushed demon beneath you, while keeping your torso facing forward, with only a slight twist at the waist. Meanwhile, sweep your right arm all the way to the right, then bring it back to the right side of your chest, your palm facing outward, in that most soothing, and simplest, of gestures: Do Not Fear.

In the chaotic swirl of the universe around you, and within you, hold your pose forcefully still—you are centered, dynamic, whole.
The earliest statue of Nataraja is found in South India and is dated to the 6th century AD.

I have often wondered, 1500 years ago, who was the first artist to have dreamed up this magnificent figure into being?