'The King of Dance' is a description of

The description 'King of Dance' refers to the Bronze Nataraja of the Cholas. The term 'Nataraja' is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Nata' (dance) and 'Raja' (king), literally translating to the 'King of Dance' [1]. In Tamil tradition, this form is also known as 'Adal Vallan' [1]. While Shiva was depicted in various forms, the Nataraja became a preeminent symbol of Chola power and religious devotion between the 9th and 13th centuries [3]. These bronze sculptures typically portray Shiva performing the 'Ananda Tandava' (dance of bliss) or 'Nadanta' (dance of destruction) within a flaming halo, symbolizing the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. The Chola rulers, particularly at the Chidambaram temple, patronized these spectacular bronze representations, which were inspired by the hymns of the Nayanmar saints [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Religion > p. 162
2. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 2.4 Relations with the state > p. 146
3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja