Twelve years after completing her design of these 108 Karana figures, she discovered by the grace of the sage of Kanchi, about 50 Karana sculptures in the world-renowned monument temple complex at Prambanan in Central Java, Indonesia belonging to the 9th century AD.
The remarkable historic feature of these figures is that they totally tally with her own designs for the temple at Satara. This ‘link beyond time and space’ is the subject of a book by an Italian archaeologist Dr.Alessandra who did her post - doctoral research under Padma through the British Academy, London. Immersed in the Natya Sastra and each new finding related to it, like in the 9th century bas reliefs in Prambanan where the Karanas are identical to her own interpretations in Satara, gives her a sense of great fulfillment.
Apart from discovering candid links between Natya Sastra and Indonesia, Padma realized through the lectures of the sage of Kanchi, the importance of ancient Tamil literature – “Thiruppavai” and “Thiruvempavai” - being used in Thailand where she used these in her group presentation “Pavai Nomabu” also involving Thai dancers along with her own artistes. She gave a joint lecture demonstration on Natya Sastra at the college of Fine Arts, Bangkok along with Achan Chaturong Montri Sat, Thai Professor of Dance. Her visit to Japan and Australia have considerably strengthened her conviction about Asia’s common cultural links. |
