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Pallava Art and Architecture Overview

The document discusses the significance of Pallava art and architecture as a precursor to Dravidian styles, highlighting the transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples during their reign. It details the contributions of the Pallavas, including the construction of the Mamallapuram shore temples, which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the advancement of sculpture exemplified by notable works like The Descent of the Ganga. Overall, the Pallavas played a crucial role in shaping temple architecture and art in South India.

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Naresh kumar
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109 views8 pages

Pallava Art and Architecture Overview

The document discusses the significance of Pallava art and architecture as a precursor to Dravidian styles, highlighting the transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples during their reign. It details the contributions of the Pallavas, including the construction of the Mamallapuram shore temples, which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the advancement of sculpture exemplified by notable works like The Descent of the Ganga. Overall, the Pallavas played a crucial role in shaping temple architecture and art in South India.

Uploaded by

Naresh kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TEMPLE ART AND

ARCHITECTURE –
PALLAVAS
Naresh Kumar
21315119
IMA History 4th year
INTRODUCTION
Pallava art and architecture represent an early stage of
Dravidian art and architecture, which reached its pinnacle
during the Chola Dynasty. During Pallava rule, the first stone
and mortar temples of South India were built, based on earlier
brick and timber prototypes. The Pallava kings were generous
patrons of art and architecture. During their reign, long free-
standing temples appeared in South India, which had previously
been lacking. The Pallavas pioneered the Dravidian
architectural [Link] Pallava reign also saw a shift in temple
architecture from “Rock-cut temples to Free-standing temples.”
ROCK-CUT ARCHITECTURE
The Pallava dynasty was the pinnacle of Rock-Cut architecture, with a
massive rock carved out in various shapes and sizes, which were later used
to build temples.
The pillars are carved in the front side of rocks that serve as the “Mandapa,”
and the back side is left to build the Sanctum of the Gods.
Mahendravarman I was a great patron of art and architecture, and he wrote
a play called “Mattavilasa Prahasana” in Sanskrit. After the reign of
Mahendravarman I, the style of rock-cut temples gave way to a wide variety
of temples.
The earliest rock-cut temples were constructed entirely of rock, with no
wood, metal, or bricks.
 “Dwarapalakas” are royal gatekeepers carved in the entrance to this
temple, which later became a feature of most south Indian temples.
FREE STANDING TEMPLES
The Pallava period marks the transition from rock cut to structural temples.
The Ratha temples are an attempt to break free from the influence of the
rock cut ‘Chaitya’ and ‘Vihara’.
The structural detailing of the ratha temples, which resembles wooden
timber support and plaster beams, which are unnecessary in stone.
 This demonstrates that they are unable to break free completely from
earlier wooden-structured temples.
MAMALLAPURAM SHORE
TEMPLE
Mamallapuram is a coastal region on Tamil Nadu’s eastern coast. The area is
rich in history, as some of the earliest accounts of foreigners mentioned a
flourishing trade with the Romans along Mamallapuram’s coast.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) architecture exemplified the greatness of
Pallava architecture.
The Pallava King “Narasimhavarman I,” the successor of Mahendravarman I,
built these temples out of granite.
 In 1984, the Mamallapuram shore temples and monuments were
designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
PALLAVA DYNASTY - ART
The Pallavas had also aided in the advancement of sculpture. Aside from the
sculptures found in temples, a ‘Open Art Gallery’ at Mamallapuram is a
significant landmark.
The most important sculpture is The Descent of the Ganga, also known as
Arjun’s penance.
Found in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, made of a monolithic rock identified as
Bhagiratha bringing Ganga down from Shiva’s matted hair, it is also known
as Arjun’s penance. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 The Sittannavasal jain paintings date from the Pallava period.
CONCLUSION
The Pallavas encouraged the study of art and the
construction of cave and structural temples, including
monolithic rathas and stone carvings of mythological scenes
in Mahabalipuram. Two of the style’s forms, the rock-cut and
the structural, were created by the Pallavas, who laid the
groundwork for it.

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