Namaskar (obeisance)

Namaskar is an obeisance performed at the beginning and conclusion of a dance and is used to:

• greet and show respect for Nataraj
• ask Mother Earth for forgiveness for pounding on her while dancing
• show respect for the guru

There are dozens of styles of performing namaskar ranging from a simple set of eight movements to elaborate sequences that salute all four cardinal points of the compass.