Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Nataraja is a depiction of the god Shiva as the Lord of the Dance, a role that makes him one of Hinduism’s most important deities—his cosmic dance controls the rhythm of life and death. The dance pervades the universe, symbolized in iconic Nataraja sculptures by a ring of fire and the god’s flowing, serpentine locks of hair.
The iconic nature of this medieval Nataraja bronze is not incidental: the exceptional craftsmanship is the culmination of a deep, centuries-old tradition of metalworking prowess in southern India.
Hear from Dr. Sharada Srinivasan from the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bengaluru, India for a talk exploring the unique blend of art, technology, philosophy, and dance in Nataraja bronzes.
Nataraja is a depiction of the god Shiva as the Lord of the Dance, a role that makes him one of Hinduism’s most important deities—his cosmic dance controls the rhythm of life and death. The dance pervades the universe, symbolized in iconic Nataraja sculptures by a ring of fire and the god’s flowing, serpentine locks of hair.
The iconic nature of this medieval Nataraja bronze is not incidental: the exceptional craftsmanship is the culmination of a deep, centuries-old tradition of metalworking prowess in southern India.
Hear from Dr. Sharada Srinivasan from the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bengaluru, India for a talk exploring the unique blend of art, technology, philosophy, and dance in Nataraja bronzes.
