Overview
Tandava (also spelled Tāṇḍava), also known as Tāṇḍava Natyam, is a divine dance associated in Hindu tradition with the god Shiva. It is regarded as a vigorous and cosmic form of dance, expressing themes central to Shaiva belief and iconography.
Shiva is most commonly depicted performing the Tandava in his form as Nataraja, the "Lord of Dance". This iconographic representation is widely found in temple sculpture, painting, and classical performance traditions across India, where it serves as a visual and symbolic focus of devotion.
The Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts attributed to the sage Bharata, describes various aspects of the Tandava. The text discusses the dance within its broader exposition of dramaturgy, dance, and music, and remains a foundational reference for Indian classical dance forms that draw upon these traditions.
References
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Tandava.