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Dravidan architecture
The document summarizes key architectural features of several South Indian temples from different periods. It describes: 1. The Srinivasanalur temple built during the reign of Parantaka I in the 10th century, which simplified Pallava elements and introduced changes like neck mouldings and kalasas. 2. Features adopted by later Dravidian style temples like the disappearance of lion motifs and inclusion of rakshasa heads. 3. Major temples like Brihadeeswarar at Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram that displayed the mature Chola style through their grand scale, intricate carvings, and tall pyramidal towers.
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Dravidan architecture
- 2. 1. AAYUSHI 2. PRAKRITI 3.SHREYA 2
- 3. Continuous conflictsb/w various dynasties prevented any great cultural advance Not many, not large, local development rather than imperial development Examples: temples around the state of Pudukkottai Small temples built entirely of granite stone accurately coursed and bonded Pallava features also observed. 3
- 4. The architecturalelements of Pallavas are adopted with slight changes Changes- 1. Neck moulding, abacus and kalasa 2. Lion heads completely disappeared 3. Rakshasa – heads , which continued in the Dravidian style to follow 4
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- 7. THE Great BrihadeshwarTemple , Tanjore
- 8. BRIHADESHWAR TEMPLE Proper Name– PERUVUDAIYAAR TEMPLE Location- THANJAVUR, TAMIL NADU DRAVADIAN ARCHITECTURE Creator- RAJA RAJA CHOLA I Built in- 1010 AD Deity- LORD SHIVA An artwork achieved by Cholas it is one of the largest temples in India and the most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added I 16th century.
- 10. There is abig statue of NANDI carved out of a single stone at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. MATERIAL - granite. Nearest sources of granite - close to TIRUCHIRAPALLI, bout 60 km to the west of Thanjavur. The scale and grandeur is in the Cholas tradition and hence the temple got its architecture. A axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout. NEW CHOLA STYLE – Emergence of multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals. The temple displayed emperor's vision of power.
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- 12. CONSTRUCTION- • Architect andengineer- Kunjar Mallan • The temple was built as per ancient texts - Vaastu shastras and agamas. • The temple was built using a measure of 1 3/8 inch called an ANGULA. ( 24 units equalling 33 inches called a HASTA). • This temple is the FIRST building fully built by granite and finished within 5 years. • Solid base rises – 5m above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance.
- 14. PRAKARAM- It is anouter art around the Hindu temple sanctum. It is the outer precincts of the temple. It measures 240m by 125m. The outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 81 dance karnas (postures of bharatnatyam)
- 15. TEMPLE COMPLEX- The templecomplex is built up of many structures that are aligned axially. Entrance - five storey GOPURAM or a smaller free standing gopuram (directly to the main quadrangle). GOPURAM: It’s a monumental tower at the entrance of a temple. They function as gateways through the walls surrounding the temple complex. The Gopuram of main entrance is 30 mts high. It is smaller than a vimanam. Though usually in Dravidian architecture, gopurams usd to be taller than vimanam.
- 17. VIMANA : Vimana arethe pyramid shaped roof towers of South Indian temple architecture. It is the term for the tower above the GARBHAGRIHA or SANTCUM SANCTORUM in a Hindu temple. It has a KUMBHAN (usually of copper), that is, a apex or a bulbous structure at the top.
- 18. • The Vimanais 216 ft. (or 66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. • With 16 articulated storeys. • The Kumbhan (KALASH or CHIKHARAM) of the temple is carved out of a single stone weighing 80 tons. • Its believed to have raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.4 km. • Pilasters, piers and attached columns have been placed rhythmically covering every surface of vimanam.
- 20. MAIN TEMPLE- Rectangular wall– 270X140 sq. mts. Main temple in centre of a spacius QUADRANGLE OF- NANDI PILLARED HALL ASSEMBLY HALL (MANDAPAS) Sub SHRINES MANDAPA- • The mandapa is a porch like structure through the gopuram and leading to the temple. It’s a pillared outdoor hall for public rituals. • Most important part of the temple - inner mandapa surrounded by sharply cut pilaster and sculptures. • It leads out to a rectangular mandapa and then to a 20 columned porch with 3 staircases leading down. • Sharing the same stone plinth is a smaller mandapa dedicated to Nandi.
- 21. MANDAPA- • Most importantpart of the temple - inner mandapa surrounded by sharply cut pilaster and sculptures. • It leads out to a rectangular mandapa and then to a 20 columned porch with 3 staircases leading down. • Sharing the same stone plinth is a smaller mandapa dedicated to Nandi.
- 22. GARBHAGRIHA (SANCTUM SANCTORUM)– It’s a chamber directly underneath the Vimanam and the 2 of them form the main vertical axis of the temple. Square shaped with a plinth. KARUVARAI (WOMB CHAMBER)- The inner most sanctum and the focus of temple where an image of the primary deity, Lord Shiva resides. Inside is a huge stone Lingam. In Dravidian style – karuvarai is miniature form of Vimana with features like – Inner & outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha. The pradakshina winds around the lingam in garbhagriha and is repeated in an upper storey. Presenting the idea that Cholas freely offered access to god.
- 24. DEITIES- Huge sized deitiesspecially those placed in the niches of the outer wall. It is one the rarest temples to have the idols of – ASHTA DIKPALAKAAS (Guardians of directions) – Indra, Agni, Vaayu, Niruti, Varuna, Kuber, Isana. Each deity has been represented by a life sized statue approximately 6 feet tall , enshrined in a separate temple located in respective direction.
- 27. The temple waserected in the 11th century (about 1025 AD). The Brihadeeswarar temple at Gangaikondacholapuram is a monument made by Rajendra I, when he shifted his capital here to commemorate his victory over the Pala dynasty. At this time Chola dynasty had attained its most affluent state and this tmple is fully expressive of its triumphant dominaion.
- 28. The planwas larger than the temple in Tanjore , but is height was less than it ( only 150feet). 1)Garbhgriha 2)Pradakshina path 3)Mandapa 4)Nandi 1)` 340 feet 150 feet
- 29. With itslong axis from east to west the entire plan of the temple building forms a rectangle 340 feet long and 110 feet wide , having its main entrance from east. The temple building itself occupies the middle of an immense walled enclosure designed partly for defensive purposes. There is a substantial bastion at the south east angle and another smaller one on the west . The main entrance gives access to the mandap ( 175feet by 95 feet) containing over 150 pillars, all rather slender .
- 30. The arrangementof pillars is peculiar they are in colonnade and stand on a solid platform 4 feet high, which is divided by an aisle in the centre. Between the madap and the garbhgriha is an antral having 2 rows of massive pillars, 2 in total leading to 2 side entrances (south and north) .
- 31. The tallpyramidal shikhara towers over the western end on a square plan of side 100 feet. It is resolved into 3 parts – the upright ground level, the tapering body and the domical finial. The vertical body is in 2 stages each defined by heavy cornice casting. The pyramidal body is in tiers
- 33. Location- Srinivasanalur,Trichinopoly Built during the reign of Parantaka I (907- 949) On completion it was defiled by a monkey which prevented its consecration 33
- 35. Consists ofa pillared hall (or mandapa), with its attached sanctuary or vimana Total length 50 feet Mandapa occupying a rectangle 25 ft X 20 ft Vimana occupying a square of 25 ft side Height of tower (or Shikhara)- 50 ft Height of cornice- 16 ft
- 36. Simplification inall its parts Proof that builders had acquired an appreciation of the values of plane spaces, together with due sense of the character and correct location of the architectural features required for the purpose of embellishment Lion motif- dominating feature of the Pallava architecture disappeared; pillars and pilasters which this leogriff invariably adorned, being converted into purely abstract conventions of mouldings and other similar forms. 36
- 38. Two changeswhen compared to Pallavas : 1. Capital- a neck (padmabhandam) has been introduced where it joins onto the shaft, thus appropriating to itself the segment of the upper part of the shaft 2. Adding another member to the lower part of the capital in the form of a vessel or pot (kalasa) The plank (Palagai), is much expanded, so that combined with the flower shaped (idaie) underneath, becomes the most striking element in the column. 38
- 40. Sculpture onthe wall surfaces Full length figures installed within recesses, each about half life size and in bold relief (recalling the images of saints occupying niches in the gothic cathedrals) 40
- 42. On the centerof southern wall: Well rendered scene representing Goddess Kali as Dakshina, Saraswati on her left, Lakshmi on her right, below Asura, around are various gana- devatas 42
- 44. Devices ofheraldic lions and some supernatural beasts eliminated Gryphon heads (rakshasa heads), the use of which as a decorative element was continued throughout the Dravadian period, emerged These heads squirming under the weight of the superimposed masonry, as if their bodies are immured within the joints of the structures are rakshashas or earth- spirits, so imprisoned so they may guard the temple, but at the same time are helpless to cause it harm 44
- 46. Although decidedlyunpretentious, appears as an unaffected illustration of a transition stage in the evolution of the Dravadian style. Process of formation in their architectural culture, treasuring their traditions and also restricting their aspirations to accord with the undeveloped ideas handed over to them 46
- 47. In courseof time, however maturity was attained as seen in the temples of Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram Comparision of size- as a church is to a cathedral