Masterpieces of Hoysala, Chola art
Architecture
By R.C. Kathpal

KARNATAKA, endowed with rich heritage, is not only famous for sandal wood, silk, splendid handicrafts, coffee, palaces and gold mines, it is also famous for many world renowned splendid temples. The wealth of sculptural art depicted in Hoysala temples can claim the highest rank in the world. Halebid, Belur and Somnathpur are among the marvellous specimens of Hoysala art, imbued with the most accomplished grace and elegance. Other fine temples of the period are located at Nagamuga, Godavalli, Koramanga, Nugihali, Harihara and Arsikere. Because of royal presence and patronage at Belur and Halebid, Hoysala art form in its highest perfection is manifested at Chennakesva temple at Belur and Hoysalasvara temple at Halebid.

Hoysalas reigned as independent sovereign in Mysore region. Vishnuvardhana was the first ruler of the Hoysala dynasty.He claimed to have defeated Pandyas, Cholas, Kadambas and established his authority over Malabar and Kanara. Vishnuvardhana was a great builder and established his capital at Halebid by shifting from Belur. Hoysala’s dynasty ruled from 1110 to 1310 and was completely vanquished by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. The dynasty disappeared from the scene of history. They are now remembered as builders of unique temples.

Hoysala temples incorporate some elements of cave temples tradition. They are flat-roofed, supported on pillars with a profusion of sculptured panels all over and are made of soap store, found in abundance in Karnataka. The stone used is close textured and of much fined grain and is highly tractible under the artists’ chissel.

They are of low height, without Goppuram and Vimana and outwardly show horizontal bands placed over each other. For providing extra scope of expression to the artists, the exteriors of the temples are star-shaped with niches and bends. The entire structure of the temple, including pillars, capitals, doorways, brackets and ceilings, received the minutest attention of builders, whose zeal for carving and decorating overwhelmed their sense of architecture. Parallel bands decorated with bass relief run along the walls. The low platforms follow the line of the walls, which are generally star shaped. The temples are surrounded by a wall or covered gallery.

The Chennakesva temple of Belur is the most exquisite specimen of Hoysala art. As per inscription, it was built by king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D. to commemorate victory over the Cholas. The three entrances to the Navranga (Central Hall) are heavily sculptured with Hindu pantheon. The main entrance is guarded by two statues of youths (Sala, the founder of the dynasty) fighting with tiger (lion), the dynastic symbol of the Hoysalas. Every inch of the exterior is covered by sculptured figures of gods, goddesses, animals, birds, musicians and courtiers of the highest standard of excellence. Scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas are depicted in bands among beautiful friezes. Projected niches have seated figures of legendry Yakshas and Yakshis. Among the ornamented bands are some amorous couples.

The masterpieces of Hoysala art are the Madanika figures (celestial figures) on capitals of the pillars. The positioned figures seem to support the porch ceiling and are best viewed from the platform. The figures are healthy, vibrant and sensuous.

Their voluptuousness seems to burst from the figures and represent the sculptors’ version of ideal feminine beauty — slender waist, round and full breast, well-formed limbs and graceful curves.The king’s second wife, Shantaladevi, was the most beautiful woman and a devoted dancer and singer. She greatly contributed to beautify the Kesva temple with Madanika figures by posing as model for the craftmen. Many figures are in Bharat Natyam poses, while others are in various occupations of their indolent lifestyle — singing, dancing, playing with pets and hunting etc. Their emotions are clearly visible in their facial expressions.

The Navrang (Central Hall) of the temple is supported on artistically crafted pillars of longitudinal bands crossed with transverse moulding, each differing in design from one to another. The well-known Narsimha pillar is carved with tiny figures from the bottom to the top.

At a distance of 17 km is Halebid, the capital of Hoysalas, after they shifted from Belur. Ketumalla took up the building of the twin temple of Hoysalasvar and Shantalesvara in the name of the king and queen. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The star shaped sanctum has a separate lingam and the temples are connected by a vestibule. Both temples stand on a common platform with a separate Nandi pavillion. The Nandi Bull (mount of Lord Shiva) figures are gigantic and artistically ornamented.

Belur and Halebid main temples, along with innumerable Hoysala temples at Halebid, were plundered and damaged by Tughlaqs and Khiljis in the early 13th century, when the Hoysalas were completely vanquished. Thousands of sculptural fragments and ruined temples can be seen at Halebid. Later efforts at excavations, renovations and reassembling brought to light the superior craftsmanship of the plundered and ruined temples.

Thanjavur, more popularly known as Tanjore, is famous for its splendid temples and is a great centre of arts, crafts, music, paintings and sculptures. It’s fascinating big temple is among the few on the World Heritage Monument list of UNESCO in India. Thanjavur attained a position of great eminence under the Chola dynasty in the ninth century.

Being fed by the Cauvery and rich in other natural endowments, this district of Tamil Nadu is justly called the granary of the south. Towering coconut and palm fringed avenues and fields of lush green paddy are a feast to the eyes.Thanjavur can conveniently be approved by rail, road and air. It is connected to Chennai, Madurai, Vellore, Tirupati, Trichi and many other towns and centres of tourist importance.

Rajaraja Cholan was greatest emperor of Chola dynasty, who ascended the throne in 985 A.D. Cholas conquered Pandyas, Pallavas, Chalukyas and Cheras and expanded the empire beyond linguistic boundaries up to Kerala, Mysore, Lakshadweep, Maldives and Burma. His illustrous and brave son, Rajendra I, further extended his power in Sri Lanka, eastern Chalukya, Kalinga, Kosala and Andaman-Nicobar islands. He organised military and naval power to the soaring heights and conquered part of Malay peninsula and Sumatra.He controlled Indian ocean trade routes and competed in the Middle East with Arab traders. Chola kings utilised their fortunes and riches for the construction of several splendid temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.The size and grandeur of the temples they built are an eloquent expression of the wealth and power of the Chola kings.

The big temple or Brihadeshwara Temple or Rajarajswaram temple is in the old part of the city and is circled by moated and fortified wall on the side of the Anicut canal. It is the first Hindu temple to be built of granite in such awesome proportions. It’s sanctum tower (Vimana) soars to the lofty height of 216 feet on the massive plinth, which reflects the splendour of its royal builder. The Vimana has 13 diminishing tiers or floors. The flat top of 13th floor has a beautifully shaped, winged cupola (Shikhra) carved out of a single block of granite of 80 tonnes. The cupola was dragged on the inclined earthen ramp of over 6 km from a place Sarapallam.

Facing the central shrine after crossing the gateways is a raised pavillion (Mandappam), which has a huge, black, monolithic Nandi Bull of 19 ft in sitting position of perfect proportions. The entry to the main shrine is from three sides, through a flight of stairs. The shrine consists of a sanctuary, smaller hall (ardh-mandappa) larger hall (Maha Mandappa) and a pillared pavillion (sanctum sanctorum). The passage around these sanctum contains important specimens of sculptural art and three colossal statues of Shiva in dancing form. The entire surface of walls and ceilings was covered with exquisite mural paintings, which were obscured in a coat of paint by the Nayaks with new drawings.

Thirteen storeys of Vimana are decorated with pavillions and models of buildings. The two stories are decorated with splendid sculptures of Hindu deities and inscriptions. Two rows of niches have representations of many deities like Durga, Lakshmi, Kali, Bhudevi Sridevi, Gangesha, Bhairav, Vishnu, Murugan and Shiva. The entrances are flanked by gigantic Dwarpallas and idols of gods.

All along the peripheral walls of the courtyard is the pillared corridor connecting several smaller shrines and edifices.The inscriptions on the lower side of the plinth describe in detail the endowments made by the royal family, high officials and nobility in the form of gold, ornaments, gifts of bronze images of idols, which have now completely disappeared.

Thanjavur palaces, belonging to the Cholam, Maratha and Nayaks period, are worth a visit for the sheer ingenuity of the builders and architectural excellence, royal portraits and bronze statues. Saraswati Mahal Library houses thousands of rare treasures in the form of palm-leaf manuscripts and printed, handwritten books collected for over 300 years.

The visit to Thanjavur would remain incomplete without visiting three nearly towns and their fine temples at Kumba-konam Cangaikondachola-puram and Darasuram.

The temples were built in the same Chola traditions by the son, Rajendra Cholan, and successors of Rajaraja Cholan.A distinguished historian, Vincent Smith, views these temples architecture as "the finest sculptures of any period in any part of India."