One is a bronze figural depiction of the Nataraja or “The Lord of Dance”.

Nataraja embodies the two attributes, creator and the destroyer, both characteristics of Lord Shiva.   Shiva is performing his cosmic dance surrounded by a circle of flames.  He is shown dancing on a demon or dwarf, who symbolizes ignorance.

The second piece is a large brass tondo that bears images of seven avatars of Vishnu, including Matsya the fish, Kurma the tortoise, Varaha the boar, Krishna, Rama, Varmana, the dwarf avatar and Parashurama shown with the ax.

The third piece is a bronze figure which is a lyric depiction of Shiva and Parvati dancing.  The beautiful equalization of the figures symbolizes the balance Parvati’s mother goddess presence brought to Shiva.  It is possibly a depiction of the Lasya dance Parvati performed, which balanced the male energy of the cosmic Tandava dance, performed by Shiva.  Hindu’s believe the world was created when they danced together.

And the fourth piece is a large brass bowl depicting scenes from the battle in the Ramayana. The Ramayana is an epic poem that recounts major events in the life of Rama. The bowl shows the war between Rama and the evil king, Ravana, who abducts Rama’s wife, Sita