Nataraja (Siva Devale No. 5), Polonnaruwa Museum
A bronze representing Nataraja in his cosmic dance is presently on display at Polonnaruwa Museum , Sri Lanka. It was discovered in the precinct of Siva Devale No. 5 in the Polonnaruwa Ancient City (Chutiwongs et al, 2013). This statue is considered the largest specimen of Siva bronzes found in the country (Krishnarajah, 1983). The Bronze The copper bronze is 139.5 cm in height and depicts the divine dancer Nataraja, a form of the Hindu god Siva (Chutiwongs et al, 2013). The four-armed god dances balancing his body weight on the right leg, trampling down the dwarfish demon Muyalaka, the symbol of ignorance while the left leg is kept raised. The backhands hold a kettle drum ( Mrdanga ) and a flame, the symbols of creation and destruction while the front right hand is in Abhaya Mudra (Chutiwongs et al, 2013). A cobra with five heads is found entwined on the right hand (Krishnarajah, 1983). The garment consists only of a short loincloth, tied up with a series of bejewelled belts (Chutiwongs et …
