Paṇṇamar Vīṇaiyinān
Saint Appar was awestruck by the beauty of the Lord Siva which he extols in many of his hymns. One such hymn is the Thiruvaimur Thirutthandagam.
‘குழையார் திருத்தோடு காதிற் கண்டேன்
கொக்கரையுஞ் சச்சரியுங் கொள்கை கண்டேன்
இழையார் புரிநூல் வலத்தே கண்டேன்
ஏழிசை யாழ்வீணை முரலக் கண்டேன்
தழையார் சடைகண்டேன் தன்மை கண்டேன்
தக்கையொடு தாளங் கறங்கக் கண்டேன்
மழையார் திருமிடறும் மற்றுங் கண்டேன்
வாய்மூர் அடிகளைநான் கண்ட வாறே.’ 6.77.7
‘I am enchanted by the kulai that adorn His ears, enchanted by the kokkarai, sachchari held by His hands, enchanted by the sacred thread spread on His right, enchanted by the strumming of sevenfold notes in the yaazh, enchanted by His matted hair, enchanted by His poise, enchanted by the thakkai, thalam being resounded, enchanted by His beautiful throat dark like a rain cloud, enthralled the beauty of the Lord of Vaimur’
As avowed by Saint Appar here we have a splendid portrayal of Lord Siva in the form of Vinadara by the sculptors of Chola period. His attire, ornaments, hairdressing, handling the instrument, poise every bit captivate us.
This grand depiction of the stanaka Vinadhara Dakshinamurti is seen on the southern koshtha of vimana of the Thavatthurai Mahadevar temple at Lalgudi in Thiruchirappalli district. The deity is standing in sama on a padma pitha with his right leg planted firm on the pitha while his left leg slightly bend at the knees leaning his upper body to the left. His back hands are folded up and are in kataka. His front hands are handling the vina that held across his chest. His hairdo, ornaments and attire are grand and present a magnificent look.
The God is draped in short attire extending up to his thighs and fastened by an ornamental hip belt, the girdle is bow knotted at the centre of the waist and dangles in the front. The idaikattu is silk stuff, slackly worn above the lower attire and the heavily pleated knots dangle on the sides. Thick yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion; the brahmasutra is shown near the chest.
His hairdressing is remarkable to mention; locks are formed as braids and are spiraled at the edges. The coiled braids are gathered as jatabhara and decked with head patta that has ornamental makarapurima at the centre. The curly locks that flow down up to his shoulders add charm to him. In addition, to enhance the grandness the elongated ears are decked with heavy kundalas; patrakundala on the left and makara kundala on the right. Kandigai and stone studded charapali adorns his neck. Stone studded udarabanda wound his abdomen. His arms are decked with kankanas and keyura besides the fingers that play the vina are decked with rings.
The vina has a long stalk extending from the left shoulder to the right thigh of the God, the gourd is too small and yazhi ornamentation is shown at the top. The front right hand is strumming the vina at its lower end whereas his front left hand is handling the vina at the top end holding from under.
The God in slender stature with a slight inclination of his upper body towards left, and tilting the head in same way gives Him a stylish pose, in addition, a small lift in the left leg also suggests Him in walking pace. In a calm and composed manner with a slight grin, God is strumming the vina graciously with His slender fingers. His poise and expression show Him fully absorbed in His recitation, in totality revealing a tranquil beauty. Vinadhara of Thavatthurai Mahadevar temple in all its facets exhibit the prodigy of the Early Chola sculptors. His composed grin reminds another verse of Saint Appar
….முனிகணங்கள் புடைசூழ முற்றந் தோறுந்
தெறித்ததொரு வீணையராய்ச் செல்வார் தம்வாய்ச்
சிறுமுறுவல் வந்தெனது சிந்தை வௌவ….