• The bronze casting technique and making of bronze images of traditional icons reached a high stage of development in South India during the medieval period. Although bronze images were modelled and cast during the Pallava period in the eighth and ninth centuries, some of the most beautiful and exquisite statues were produced during the Chola period in Tamil Nadu, from the tenth to the twelfth century. The technique and art of fashioning bronze images is still skillfully practised in South India, particularly in Kumbakonam.

• The distinguished patron during the tenth century was the widowed Chola queen, Sembiyan Maha Devi. Chola Bronzes are the most soughtafter collectors’ items by art lovers all over the world.

• Among the pallava period bronzes of the eighth century is the icon of Shiva seated in ardhaparyanka asana (one leg kept dangling). The right hand is in the achamana mudra gesture, suggesting that he is about to drink poison. The well-known dancing figure of Shiva as Nataraja was evolved and fully developed during the Chola period and since then, many variations of this complex bronze image have been modelled.