HiEnd-Scan: NATARAJA (Dancing Shiva)

NATARAJA (Dancing Shiva, 18cm antique brass statue)
The Hindu god Shiva in his form as "Lord of Dance" (which is exactly what "Nataraja" means - "nata" means "dance" and "raja" means "king" or "lord"). In this form, Shiva is typically depicted in a characteristic pose:
- He performs the cosmic dance "Tandava"
- He stands on a dwarf (Apasmara), symbolizing ignorance
- He has four arms, showing various symbolic gestures and objects
- He is often surrounded by a circle of flames
This representation is particularly associated with the Chola Empire (9th-13th century) in South India and symbolizes the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction.