{"id":16092,"date":"2023-11-05T19:06:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T18:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/?p=16092"},"modified":"2023-11-05T19:06:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T18:06:01","slug":"a-project-report-on-chola-art-and-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/a-project-report-on-chola-art-and-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"A Project Report On Chola Art And Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Chola Dynasty ruled in South India, largely in the present-day states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, between the 9th and 14th centuries. Although the Cholas were militarily most successful, they are best remembered for their beautiful sculptures, mural paintings and architecture. Many of these masterpieces can be seen throughout South India.<\/p>\n
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Chola bronze and stone sculptures are considered to be some of the finest in the world. The powerful and sensuous figures of Nataraja, Siva as Lord of the Dance, Uma Mahesvara, Shiva and Parvati, Sura Sundari and Durga have been widely admired and copied for centuries.The finest examples of Chola bronze sculpture are to be seen in the Shiva-Ganga Temple at Chidambaram where the thousand-pillared hall has sculptural masterpieces of intricately interwoven and geometric designs. <\/p>\n
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Chola murals, paintings on plaster, have withstood time for many centuries. Paintings are still visible at the Shiva Temple at Rajarajeshwari, Tanjore and the beautiful Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram. The lifelike portrayal of the Chola kings and their courtiers, the vivid scenes from the epics and legends and the larger-than-life images of the gods and goddesses bring alive the richness and splendour of the Chola period.<\/p>\n
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Chola architecture brought a creative revolution in the history of South India. Visiting the Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholapuram one is dazzled by the serenity of the pyramidal temples which seem to soar straight up to the sky. The wide array of Nandis or gatekeepers, the exquisite pillared halls, yalis or mythical animals, lions, and gargoyles carved with perfection stand as a monument of imaginative excellence. The Shiva temple at Tanjore (Thanjavur) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.<\/p>\n
The contemporary scholars such as Pascal Bagiard from France, who is currently researching on Chola arts and architectures, said that the kingly architecture of the Cholas is “both unifying and mixing, where the Hindu and Jain traditions find an echo of their programs in the unity of proportions that characterises the Chola temples”. The Chola structures, both literal and metaphoric, reveal a grand vision of empire, spiritual powers and creative brilliance, inspiring awe and admiration. <\/p>\n
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Chola bronze sculpture is especially remarkable for its three-dimensional beauty and mastery of natural forms. Chola bronzes were typically moulded using the lost-wax technique and cast using a mixture of metals. Gold and silver were often used to enrich the surfaces, producing a shimmering effect that delighted the eyes of audience, who viewed them as god-given gifts. The engineering skills of the Chola artists are remarkable for their ability to create very intricate designs. This shows their sophisticated understanding of balance and proportion. The high quality of artistry and technique has remained unsurpassed to this day. <\/p>\n
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The sculptures are usually large, about six feet tall, and display an astonishing level of detail and craftsmanship. The facial expressions show an intense concentration, as if in meditation. The delicate curves of the body reveal a perfect sense of balance between physique and emotion. The clothing is often depicted as sensual and delicate and gives the figures a luxurious quality. But most significantly, it is the power of movement and the strength of pose that makes Chola bronzes so captivating. <\/p>\n
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The symbols and allegories used by the Cholas are highly meaningful and often refer to lord Shiva, the main deity of Chola art. It is not uncommon to find sculptures with several arms, as is characteristic of many images of Shiva. Sometimes the many-armed figures are depicted worshipping or meditating under their sacred bodhi tree, symbolically representing their pursuit for enlightenment. <\/p>\n
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As the figures are almost life-size, there is often an expressive quality to the depiction of the physical features. The lyrical lines of hair, the curves of the body, the rhythms of the clothing, and the balance of the composition all demonstrate Chola art’s penchant for realism and symbolism. Moreover, the artist’s delicate use of color and gilding create an almost angelic beauty in the pieces. <\/p>\n
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The Cholas were meticulous in their construction of temples and ensured that the structures were designed with a sense of order and symmetry. The temples were typically located near major towns or cities, surrounded by smaller shrines and temples, as well as open-air pavilions and gardens. The entrance was usually along the east side and flanked by multiple gateways. These served to direct the devotees along the path of the temple and into the inner sanctum. <\/p>\n
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The main temple structure is surrounded by a series of courtyards, each with its own specific purpose. To the north of the temple is a sacred garden, while the southern part has a mandapam (a structure with a large central hall, typically adorned with ornamental pillars) and a pillared assembly hall. The main temple structure is also surrounded by a series of terraces and walls which etched with figures of gods and goddesses as well as scenes from ancient Hindu mythology. <\/p>\n