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.