Dancing Grace: Sculptural Splendor at Nellaiyappar Temple

By -

This article continues the captivating journey through the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, immersing ourselves in the mesmerizing sculptures that adorn the pillars of the east-side frontside mandapa. These sculptures, renowned for their artistic finesse and exquisite beauty, are windows into the rich cultural tapestry of the temple.

In our previous explorations, we marveled at the first larger-than-life sculpture, a depiction of a tall, graceful native lady (Kurathi) with her unique features etched in stone. Following that, we delved into the regal presence of a well-built royal warrior, standing proudly with his bow and arrow. Now, let us shift our gaze to the third sculpture, gracefully positioned to the true left side of the warrior's imposing figure.

This striking sculpture embodies the spirit of dance, portraying a female dancer of noble stature. Crowned with a semi-circular ornamental headpiece, she shines with a pair of sizable circular earrings framing her smiling face. Her sharp features—a sharp nose, large expressive eyes, and prominent breasts—capture the essence of grace and beauty.

In a lively dance pose, her arms and legs are elegantly positioned, conveying a sense of fluid motion frozen in time. Adorned in ornate jewelry and a long garland, she holds a delicate flower or an unidentified circular object in her left arm, adding a touch of whimsy to her enchanting presence.

Photo Courtesy - Sumathi Natan


To her true right side on the same pillar, a smaller yet equally captivating figure comes to life. This beautiful female, with a slender body and exposed breasts symbolizing fertility and feminine strength, gracefully holds a stringed musical instrument. The intricate detailing of her attire and ornaments speaks volumes of the sculptor's skill in capturing life in stone.



Turning our attention to the true right side of the larger female sculpture, we encounter another male figure immersed in the world of music. With a distinctive bun of hair atop his head and a proud moustache adorning his face, he skillfully plays a wide percussion instrument. His legs are wide open, firmly grounded as he creates rhythmic melodies that echo through the stone halls of the temple.

Photo Courtesy - Sumathi Natan


Each of these sculptures tells a story, weaving together the threads of dance, music, and life itself. As we stand in awe of their beauty, we are transported back in time to an era where art flourished and legends came to life.

Happy travelling.

This article is Part 28 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. 

The other parts of the series can be accessed through the below-listed links.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20

Part 21

Part 22






Location: Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more