Editing Indian Acrobatic sculptures (section)

== '''Acrobatic movements in Temple sculptures''' ==
Acrobatics were not new to India. The martial art, ''Kalaripayaṭṭu'', said to be the mother of all martial arts, has many acrobatical movements. The fact that they are found in temples, is a testimony to the notion that acrobatics were a common element in the society of those times; and Temples have encouraged it. 
[[File:Acrobatic sculpture seen in Kurudumale Someshwara temple, Kolar. .png|alt=Acrobatic text in sculptures of Bharatīya temples|thumb|'''Fig 1- Most usual Acrobatic sculpture seen in many ancient temples (Pic by Kurudamale Someshwara temple, Kolara, Karnataka)''']]
In figure 1- Two men creating a circle by holding one of each other’s legs. Both the men have stretched their left leg to form the line in between and their right leg creating the circle. Both their hands are holding each other’s legs. This requires high flexibility and the lower man requires the strength to balance the man in air.
[[File:Acrobatic sculpture in Temple of Kolara, Karnataka.png|alt=Kushi kind of movement in sculpture|thumb|'''Fig 2- Acrobatic sculpture in Kurudamale Someshwara Temple, Kolara, Karnataka (Cola style of sculpting)''']]
In figure 2-  A man is balancing the other man hanging over his stomach. The man in air has his legs around his shoulders and interlocked with his other leg. Even one of their hands are locked. They create a plus like pattern.
[[File:Yogic pose in Lepakshi Temple, Andhraradesh.png|alt=Yogic Pose in Temple Sculpture|thumb|'''Fig 3. Yogic/Acrobatic pose in Lepakshi Temple, Ananthapura District, Andhraradesh''']]
fig 3 - Sculpture in the pillar of Lepakshi temple, Anantapura district, Andhrapradesh. In this figure the body is completely off the ground. He is carrying the weight of his entire body with hands and his chin placed on the hands which are crossed together. This is similar to the ''Gangāvataraṇa Karana'' and ''Śīrșāsana'' of ''Yoga''. Such poses are evident in ''Kalaripayaṭṭu'' as well.

The sculptures  clearly indicate the strength, flexibility, stability, power and energy required to execute such difficult stances with precision. The perfect pose is possible only when everyone involved gives their best. These poses not only require physical strength but also require mental stability and concentration. Even if one is found weak, the whole pose might crumble like a fortress of cards. The cheer and applause from the audience should not distract the performers. 

The perfect rendition of such movements and poses creates a sense of awe and makes one wonder how much of effort and seamless hours of practice must have gone into creating a sculpturesque pose like this. Heartfelt gratitude to the sculptors, who preserved these poses on stone for posterity. It is but through these evidences, the skill of our ancestors who, without much claim to fame, did their duty with utmost dedication, can be seen.