Interpreting Nataraja: Philosophical Symbolism and Aesthetic Consciousness in Gopal Krishna Bharti's 'Natanam Adinar' and Tagore's 'Nrityero Tale Tale'
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) September 1, 2026 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22691602 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Bharti's Natanam Adinar portrays Shiva's Ananda Tandava and Panchakritya as dynamic manifestations of divine energy within Tamil Shaiva bhakti and the Chidambara Rahasya, while Tagore's Nrityero Tale Tale reinterprets the cosmic dance through universal humanism as a metaphor for creative freedom and spiritual harmony. Drawing on the Natyashastra, Rasa theory, and Coomaraswamy, the paper contends that both composers treat the body and rhythm as pathways to ananda (bliss) and cosmic consciousness. |
Abstract
Abstract: This study presents a comparative analysis of the philosophical symbolism and aesthetic consciousness of Nataraja in Gopal Krishna Bharti’s Carnatic composition Natanam Adinar and Rabindranath Tagore’s Nrityero Tale Tale. Rooted in the Tamil Shaiva bhakti tradition and the Chidambara Rahasya, Bharti portrays Shiva’s Ananda Tandava and Panchakritya as dynamic manifestations of divine energy, transforming personal devotion into metaphysical realization. Conversely, Tagore reinterprets the cosmic dance through universal humanism, transforming rhythm into a metaphor for creative freedom, spiritual harmony, and the fluid pulse of life. Drawing upon the Natyashastra, Rasa theory, and Ananda Coomaraswamy’s philosophical framework, the paper demonstrates how both composers conceptualize the human body and rhythm as pathways to ananda (bliss) and cosmic consciousness. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary inquiry bridges devotional mysticism and modern aesthetic thought, establishing Nataraja as an enduring symbol of spiritual and artistic synthesis.