Between 3rd century CE to 6th century CE is called a dark period, as there is a lack of substantial information. Importance: Dravida style a...
Between 3rd century CE to 6th century CE is called a dark period, as there is a lack of substantial information.
Importance:
Dravida style architecture is said to have its origin from Pallava period.
Foundation & Identification
Nandi was their royal emblem. Shivaskanda verma is considered as the founder of this dynasty. Kanchipuram was their capital.
Architecture:
Pallavas are renowned for their contribution in the Vaasthu-Shilpa (architecture) called as Dravida Vaasthu-Shilpa. It had a distinct design language compared to its contemporary northern Indian Nagara style Vaasthu-Shilpa.
Mahendra Varma I, Narasimha Varma I, Narasimha Varma II, Nandi Varma were the four kings who are renowned as the four pillars of Dravida architecture.
There are four styles,
- Mahendra style
- Mamara style
- Rajasimha style
- Aparajita style
The first experiments were conducted in the shore of Mahabalipuram, (in today's Tamilnadu. India). Among the first was a Mahendra style involved with cave temple. Mantapa was the word used for this style.
Later in Mamara style, they began with the monolithic carving of Mantapas, trying out different types of Shikhara at the site called Pancha Rathas. It began at Mahabalipuram (Mammallapuram) for the Varaha temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. They stuck to the pyramid style Shikhara buildings which consists of multiple stepped recti-linear structures, in contrast to the curvy-linear structures found in the Nagara style in the northern Indian temple shikharas.
All these experiments were during Narasimha Verma I period, along with another temple for Arjuna's penance or Bhaghiratha's penance from the Mahabharata epic. This is a bas-relief structure.
Rajasimha style was the next evolution, where they began construction instead of monolithic method. This was during Narasimha Verma II period. This experiment happened at the shore temple, again in the Mahabalipuram, where it adopted the pyramidical shikhara. All the evolution happened in close vicinity at Mahabalipuram, and hence it is called the cradle of Dravida Vaasthu-Shipla (architecture).
Kailasanatha was the full fledged temple was first established in Kanchipuram. Built in Rajasimha style, it also incorporated a complex in front of the gharbha-griha.
Aparajita style was the final style that was later adopted beginning during Nandi Varma period. It incorporated various structures along with the gharbha-griha, they were the prakara (a compound wall around the temple complex). It also had a main-entrance along with the prakara, along with a high-structure to identify the entrance location called gopura. It also incorporated a water source within the prakara, a kalyani or well. If it was outside the complex, then it was called pushkarni. Vaikunta Perumal was the first to be built in this style.
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