Image - Shiva Dances for Ravana, an illustration from the Shiva Tandava Stotra India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, ca. 1810 Ink, gouache, and gold on paper Private Collection
Past Event

Shiva’s Many Dances: The Tandava Nritya

Robert Del Bonta will share how Shiva’s Many Dances and the celebrated ‘Nataraja’ pose is a culmination of how the ultimate depiction of Shiva’s essence evolves over time in a dynamic conception among the Hindu trinity of gods (the Trimürti).

Del Bonta creates an engaging aspect of one of the Hindu trinity gods, reflecting on how the iconic image of Shiva Nataraja the "Lord of Dance" illustrates a creative and destructive power over eons of time. Shiva’s nature as both male and female is also a constant theme. Shiva manifests many other forms suggestive of power and mythological stories of dance or in prayers. It's but a tiny introduction to a major dance visualization heritage.

Teacher and curator Dr. Robert Del Bonta's work has been presented in exhibition venues such as San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, Berkeley Art Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Mills College, Notre Dame de Namur University, Art Passages in San Francisco and New York City, Portland Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art. He has lectured widely at museums and institutions in the United States, and published numerous articles and exhibition catalogue contributions on South Asian art with thematic focus largely on Indian art of the Jainas.

MLF Organizer
Anne W. Smith and George Hammond
Notes

An Arts and Humanities Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

This Commonwealth Club Arts Forum and Humanities Forum program is in partnership with SACHI, Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India.

Main image: Shiva Dances for Ravana, an illustration from the Shiva Tandava Stotra India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, ca. 1810 Ink, gouache, and gold on paper Private Collection

June 12, 2023

The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero
Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

Speakers
Image - Robert Del Bonta

Dr. Robert Del Bonta

Teacher; Curator; Author, Divine Visions World Lovers: Highlighting Indian Paintings from the Collection of Barbara Janeff

Image - George Hammond

George Hammond

Author, Conversations With Socrates; Chair, Humanities Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of California—Moderator