Art and Architecture in Second Pandiya
The Pandyas contributed
more for the development of architecture. Gopuras, Prakaras, Vimanas,
Garbagrahas are the special features of the Pandya temple architecture.
Temples at Madurai, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thiruvannamalai, Srirangam
are good examples for the development of Pandya architecture. The
images of horses and other animals are carved on pillars. According
to historian A.L .Basham, The zenith of Pandya architecture are
Meenakshi temple at Madurai and Aranganathar temple at Srirangam. |
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| Rock cut Temple | |
The Pandya period is marked
as renaissance period in the field of rock cut temple. The rock
cut temples are known for their merit. More than 50 rock cut temples
were excavated from the Pandya kingdom. More rock cut temples are
found in Thirupparankundram, Anaimalai, Karaikudi, Kalugumalai,
Malaiyadikurichi and Trichy. These temples were constructed for
Lord Siva and Vishnu. Cave temples are also found in temples at
Kalugumalai and Trichy. Rock cut caves were also there. |
Structural temples
Structural temples were built on stones. They were simple in style. Each temple consists of Garbagraha, arthamandapa and mahamandapa. Such structural stone temples are found in Kovilpatty, Thiruppathur and Madurai. The Pandya kings constructed structural temples at Ambasamuthram, Thiruppathur. Mannarkudi, Madurai, Alagarkoil. Srivilliputhur and in Chinnmanur, Internal structures of these temples were constructed in a planned manner.
The second Pandya kings also promoted structural temples. The Vadapadrasayi temple at Srivilliputhur, Siva temple at Ambasamudhram, Vijayanarayana temple at Nanguneri. Lakshmi narayana temple at Athur are some of the famous structural temples. Pandya rulers built big gopurams at the entrance of the temples. Pandyas built temples mandapas, gopurams at Chidambaram and Srirangam. Kulasekara Pandya built arthamandapa. manimandapa and sannathi in every temple, Sundara Pandya and Sadaiyavarman built gopurams during their period. Pandya rulers renovated Alagarkoil and Jambukeswara temples.
Sculpture
Pandyn sculptures are beautiful and
ornamental. Some sculptures are engraved on single stone. They have got
more messages and values. Pandya period witnessed renaissance in the art
of sculpture. Sculptures of Somaskandar, Durgai, Ganapathy, Narasimha,
Nataraja are very good specimens. Sculptures at Kalugumalai, Thirupparankundram,
Thiurmalaipuram and Narthamalai are very famous. Vishnu sculpture at Kunnakudi
and Nataraja sculpture at Thiurkolakkudi are on par excellence with the
sculptures of pallava, chola period.
Paintings: The beauty of the Pandya mural painting can be seen in the
Chittannavasal cave temples constructed during the time of Srimaran and
Srivallaba Pandyan. The ceilings and pillars at Chittannavasal bear the
paintings of dancing girls, the kings, the queens, plants and animals.
The picture of lotus, bathing elephants and playing fishes were good at
Chittannavasal. Oil painting was also there. They are outstanding examples
of pandiya paintings.
Pandya rulers contributed more for the development of literature, art
and architecture. Their contributions created a unique and permanent cultural
impact upon the tamil society.
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