Unit 2 Dravidian Architecture
Unit 2 Dravidian Architecture
Dravidian culture
Dravidian order
Pallavan style- Rock cut production
Rathas, Shore Temple Mahabalipuram
Chola style-Brihadeeswara temple Tanjore
Pandya style -Evolution and form of the
Gopuram
Srirangam-Complexity in plan due to
complexity in ritual
Vijayanagara & Nayak style-Meenakshi temple
Madurai
600AD 900AD
2. Chola Style
900AD 1150AD
3. Pandya Style
1100AD 1350AD
4. Vijayanagara Style
1350AD 1565AD
Pallavan
Chola
Pandya
- Evolution of the Gopuram number, height,
embellishment
600 AD 900 AD
There were two phases of architecture under the Pallavas
1st Phase-
Mahendra Group
halls
Mamalla Group
Mandapas
Rock cut
610 640 AD
Mandapas/ Pillared
640 690 AD
Rathas and
(Narasimhavarma)
2nd PhaseStructural
Rajasimha group
690 800 AD
Nandivarman group
Mandapas
800 Rathas
900 AD
1. Excavation
Temples
Temples
Monolith
2. Open pavilion
is an
one or more cellas at the rear
UNDAVALLI
70 ht.
The dia of the column 10-20
Heavy bracket for capital- wooden origin
of a beam and bracket
Roll moulding added in later examples
This roll cornice was ornamented at
MANDAGAPATTU
Krishna
Mandapam
Varaha
SIMHA-LION
STAMBHAM
Shala
Kudu
Planning:
Gangaikondacholapuram
Temple
Airateswara TempleDarasuram
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
The Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjavur was
constructed around 1000 AD
The largest, highest and most ambitious
project at its time a landmark in the
evolution of South Indian Architecture
Superb architectural treatment and
Proportions
The
main structure is 180 long above which
Planning:
is
the towerto
190
high
Dedicated
Shiva
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
Plan
The Garbagriha is a mere 5m square surrounded by a thick wall
with a narrow corridor
Axial planning
The main cella is preceded by 2 hypostyle halls and a narrow
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
Components of Vimana:
The main Vimana is a huge solid block on the western end
consisting of 3 parts:
1. Square vertical base
Vertical base:
2. Tall tapering body
Square of 82 rising to a ht. of
3. Domical finial
50
The square vertical base rises for
2 stories to accommodate the
Linga which was increased in ht.
An upper gallery was hence
added creating a 2nd storey, with
the 2 levels of the tower
Pyramidal portion:
receiving the same treatment
13 diminishing stories
until the width of the
apex is 1/3 base
Cupola:
On the square platform
stands the cupola, the
inward curve of the
neck breaking the rigid
outlines of the
composition
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
Architectural treatment:
Vertical face:
The wall is divided into 2 stories by means
of an overhanging cornice which is the only
horizontal member
Contains pilasters and niches with
sculptures
In the middle of each recess is a figure
subject
The mastery of the sculptors is seen in the
Dvarapalas which stand guard at the gate
The entire periphery of the temple base
consists of mythical animals lions
Pyramidal roof:
The surfaces are adorned with
the horizontal lines of the
diminishing tiers
The Cupola at the summit is
contrasted with the minged
niches on all the 4 sides
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
The double portico of 450 m perimeter running all around the structure
contains 252 lingas in black stone arranged under corbelled vaults carried
on 400 pillars all around
The wall behind the portico is beautifully painted
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
The first Gopuram is the
Keralaanthagan Gopuram
Five storied structure
30m high giving access to the 1st of
the 2 rectangular precincts
Contains sculpture enhanced with
stucco, painted in vivid colours
The second Gopuram is the
Rajaraja Gopuram
3 storied structure
A 4 columned vestibule seperates the
cella from the Mandapa
Square in plan with 6 bays of columns
each
Preceded by a rectangular mandapa
Before this is a 24 columned porch
accessed by 3 staircases
Strict axial arrangement disrupted by
additions later
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur 1000 AD
Type 1
Type 2
AREAS :
Consisted of flat roofed courts, one enclosed within the other
This normally covered a fairly large rectangular space
Within the inner of the 2 courts is the sanctum, the cupolas of
which covered in gilt projects out through the flat roofs acting as
the focal center
There is a guarded seclusion to the inner area
OUTER AREAS:
Concentric series of open courtyards known as Prakarams
Enclosed within high walls, open to sky as they are too large to
be roofed
Provide space for secular buildings connected with the
ceremonies
EXPANSION OR GROWTH OF TEMPLES:
1. Inner Areas or Cella: Wholly covered and sancrosanct
The Cella and the Portico form the sanctum origin of temple
Cella was enclosed within another flat roofed hall to protect the
original sanctuary and to emphasize the sacredness
Pillared aisles were added entrance through a small gopuram in
front on the east
Later the covered court was enclosed within a similar structure,
This formed the basis for temple layouts but layer temples were
sometimes disproportionately enlarged Srirangam which has 7
concentric rectangular enclosures the whole resembling a town.
External treatment
Ht. of Gopuram emphasized by vertical lines
Each storey has a perpendicular projection
In-between each storey diminishing tiers, forming horizontal
lines
Horizontal
portion sometimes had figures- which were life
size.
Moderate ht. of 12
4 kinds of pillars
1. Square moulded patterned - simplest
one enlarged to a
square pier normally
with radiating brackets
2. Rampant dragon -Most common type
1000 pillared hall
Superstructures are cleverly
composed above the
dragon pillars
Gryphon bracket, capital or
beam
3. Deity
4. Portrait of the donor or family
The third and fourth are similar,
bigger than life size and attached
to the shafts
No structural significance, held by
Sanctuary of Meenakshi:
The other sanctuary of the temple is dedicated to
Meenakshi fish eyed
Enclosure on the S side of the temple at the rear
Half size reproduction having one compartment
within the other
225 x 150 entered by 2 Gopurams the one on the
W being larger then the E
Mandapa:
Court of 1000 Pillars was added in 1560 on the
NE of the outer Prakaram
240 x 250
Faces south alongside a wide pillared approach of
the main entrance
The interior consists of a central aisle with a
double row of columns
Small shrine on the N end Sabhapati
Behind the colonnades forming the aisle are row
upon row of pillars 985 columns in all