In kailaasanatha temple, there is a Uoorthuva thandava representation.
As all of you know this moorthy is often related to the subjugation of Goddess Kali in a rather clumsy (?) way.
Strangely enough, the pallava representation does not have the infuriated kali as often portrayed in chola sculptures. Seems kali was not required then.
I've placed a photograph in ps files sec.
This raises suspition if the kaali episode was rather later addition. Dr.kalaikkovan once said that kali was one among the saptha mathas in the beginning and later on moved to a different stage. In order to fill her position chamundi was bought up.
Why did this ever happen ? Kaali is a "black" goddess - a form of kotravai - perhaps the most ancient goddes so far known to tamil lands...
She is shown as a queen of dancing in silappathikaaram - shiva is not recognized as the lord of dances, it is kaali - she performs most dances in the 12 dances associated with gods.
Hence she had to be brought down from her position in order to raise the importance of shiva as a lord of dances
Hence a story might have been introduced and established as a concept via sculptural representation.
Who did this and for whose benefit ? Male supremacy ? or aryan - dravidian gods clash ?
You should add the "Dancing kaali" of tanjore paintings though it is not a sculpture.
The anguish and anger in her eyes - the way she dances and looks at shiva - the kaaraikkal ammaiyar in an extremely rare posture just near her dancing legs...
Yet to see Ekaveeri in person, but this painting has no match.
You can also add the small kaali near the big nataraja sculpture in Gangai konda cholapuram southern niche - Myself and ram climbed up the hot rocks in a Jan 2005 noon and took a very close look at her - remarkable sculpture.
I visited Thillai, just two days back and am delighted to read so much abt the same in the group.
G, by any chance did u read Da Vinci Code recently :-) I was jus kidding!
I've always wondered abt the dance duel, but never thought abt in terms of Male supremacy or Aryan vs. Dravidian. You've added a very interesting dimension to the legend.
Any idea why such a conetest was held between Natarajar and Kali, who mooted it?
He is supposed to be performing the 'Ananda Thandavam' for Patanjali & Vyakrapadar. He is in a state of eternal bliss. Then why a fierce competition, all of a sudden.
Are the 'Ananda Thandavam' and the 'Urdhdhuva Thandavam' two completely unrelated episodes?
Does anyone know of any legend in which Kali defeated Natarajar?