Answer:
THE APPROACH
Introduction: Write one or two lines about the nature/origin of Tandava.
Body: Discuss the important aspects of the dance form citing the early inscriptions.
Conclusion: Highlight the distinctive aspect of the dance form in the end.
Introduction
Tandava is described as a vigorous cosmic dance of lord Shiva performed in different moods. It is mentioned first in Taittiriya Samhita and later in various texts and inscriptions like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, Kumarasambhava, Kailashnath temple (Ellora) and Nataraja temple (Chidambaram).
Body
The Chidambaram temple sculpture depicts 108 poses of Lord Shiva performing Tandava. Shiva is mentioned as Nataraja or the supreme lord of dance in Natyashastra. It is said that Shiva performed the Rudra Tandava to express his grief and anger when Sati died after jumping in sacrificial fire of Daksha’s Yajna. During the Chola period the image of Nataraja became the perfect symbol of Rudra Tandava. Tandava depicts the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. It embodies a profound fusion of rhythm, movement, and spirituality.
Conclusion
Tandava is a masculine form of dance, and it has been recorded that the other gods like Krishna (Kaliya Mardan), and Indra (celebration of Jaina Tirthankara Rishabha’s birth) also performed Tandava. In some temple sculptures, Ganesha is depicted performing Tandava in eight-armed form. But it is mainly Shiva who is known to perform Tandava. It symbolizes the idea that Shiva is the ‘Destroyer’ among the trinity of Gods, and destruction is inevitable.
Tandava survives with many regional variations as an important part of India’s rich cultural heritage. Carl Sagan in his book Cosmos beautifully described Tandava as a symbol of creation and recreation in the universe. It highlights the cyclic concept of time in the Indian tradition.
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