Shiva's Tandava

Shiva's Tandava is described as a vigorous dance, that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Tandava, as performed in the sacred dance-drama of India, has vigorous, brisk movements. In Shaiva Siddhanta tradition, Shiva as Nataraja is considered to be supreme lord of dance. The Tandavam takes its name from Tandu (taṇḍu), the attendant of Shiva, who instructed Bharata (author of the Natya Shastra) in the use of Angaharas and Karnas modes of the Tandava at Shiva's order. Sritattvanidhi, written by the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III list eight different types of Tandava found in the Hindu texts. Stucco sculptures of these are installed in the outer precincts on the 20-ft high wall on the southern side.