The Chalukya dynasty was an ancient Indian dynasty that played a significant role in the history of South India. It was known for its contributions to art, culture, and architecture, as well as its political influence in different periods.
In the last article, we have seen the broad outline of temple architecture styles in India (Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara) and Chola architecture in particular. Under Dravidian architecture, we have also seen the comparison between Pallava and Chola architecture. In this post, let us see the Chalukyan architecture in detail.
Chalukyan architecture is a combination of Nagara and Dravida and hence a perfect example of Vesara architecture. The Chalukya temples stand in South India with its gorgeous beauty. Some features of Chalukya architecture are mentioned below.
Features of Chalukya temples
When we talk about Chalukyas, remember that there are at least two Chalukyas. Chalukayas of Badami (Vatapi) ruled Karnataka region around the 7th century AD. They were followed by Western Chalukyas (Kalyani Chalukyas) around the 11th century AD.
The Chalukyan temples are noticeable for three basic plans. They are :
- Design of the floor
- Projection of architectural articulation
- Sculpture.
Design of the floor
It indicates the plan of the salla, subsidiary shrines, their plan, design of pradakshina path. The structure and architecture of a temple depend on these plans.
Architectural design
Various designs like miniature towers and projection of pilasters come under this head. The temple surfaces follow a distinctive architectural design with projections and recesses. The walls portray frequent projections and recesses that reflect a very magical beauty in the eyes of the viewers. The articulation of pillars and mantapas is beyond description.
The noticeable aspect is that though the ornamentation of Chalukya temples bears elements of Nagara and Dravidian tradition they have combined the elements in so prudent way that they become unique and distinctive features of their own.
Vesara style
The Vesara style also called the Chalukyan type possessed the Dravidian vimana and the Nagara-type faceted walls.
Key features of the Vesara architectural style include:
- Blend of Dravidian and Nagara Styles: The Vesara style represents a harmonious amalgamation of the Dravidian architectural traditions of South India and the Nagara architectural traditions of North India. This fusion is most evident in the temples built during this period.
- Shikhara and Vimana: Vesara temples typically feature a combination of both Dravidian shikhara (tower) and Nagara vimana (temple spire) styles. The shikhara is pyramidal, similar to the North Indian style, while the vimana has a Dravidian-like bulbous or multi-tiered structure.
- Mandapa: These temples often have a large hall or mandapa with pillars and intricate sculptural details. The mandapa serves as a gathering space for devotees and often has elaborate decorative elements.
- Carved Pillars: Vesara temples are known for their intricately carved pillars, featuring various mythological and religious motifs. These pillars are both functional and decorative.
- Dravida-Nagara Vimana: The vesara vimana typically has a Dravida-style base (square or rectangular) and a Nagara-style superstructure. This combination results in a distinctive appearance.
- Decorative Elements: The Vesara style is known for its rich sculptural adornments, including depictions of deities, celestial beings, and scenes from Hindu mythology. These carvings are found on temple walls, pillars, and doorways.
- Regional Variations: While Vesara architecture is often associated with the Deccan region, there are regional variations within the style due to the different dynasties that patronized it, such as the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Hoysalas. Each dynasty contributed its unique characteristics to Vesara architecture.
- Prominent Temples: Some famous examples of Vesara-style temples include the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora, the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal, and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu.
Influence of Nagara Tradition
- The plan of the shrine, subsidiary shrine, and panchayatan style bears similarity to Nagara school.
- The plan of the vestibule joining the sanctum to the mandapa bears resemblance to Orissan temples.
- Most of the temple pillars in the Karnataka region bear similarities to the sekhari and bhumija types of pillars in northern India.
- The stepped diamond plan, a plan of design arrangement as seen in Chalukya temples is from the northern region.
- Most of the temples in Kalyani portray Nagara articulation projecting stepped diamond or stellate plan.
Influence of Dravida tradition
The Dravida influence is mainly visible in the vimana of the Chalukya temples in the first part of the Chalukya rule.
Combination of Nagara and Dravida style
- Vesara sikhar or Kadamba sikhara: It is a shikhara of Chalukya temple showing northern shikhara shikhara and southern vimana features.
- Ornamentation: Miniature decorative towers and ornamentation of walls in Chalukya temples show a combination of both Nagara and Dravida styles.
Read: Kadamba Dynasty
Special departure from Nagara and Dravida tradition
In the case of the entrance hall to the shrine, Chalukya temple bears special uniqueness. It has two or more two entrances while
- There is a small closed mantapa to the shrine in Nagara temples.
- There is an enlarged, open, and closed mantapa in Dravida temples.
Distinctive features
Ornamentation: In the case of ornamentation of temple walls and pillars, the Chalukyan temple shows indigenous quality.
Transformation of Dravida tower: The Chalukyan builders modified the Dravida towers by minimizing the height of each story and arranging them in descending order of height from base to top with much ornamentation in each story.
Transformation of Nagara Tower: Instead of an inclined storey modification is seen in the vertical shape of the tower.
Two special features of Chalukya temples – Mantapa and Pillers :
Mantapa: The mandapa has two types of roof – domical ceilings (the dome-like ceilings standing on four pillars are very attractive) or Square ceilings (these are vigorously ornamented with mythological pictures).
Pillars: As mentioned earlier, the miniature decorative pillars of Chalukya temples stand with their own artistic value.
Characteristics of temple architecture of Chalukya
- The pillars of the Chalukya temple are monolithic shafts whose height determines the height of the mandapa and temples.
- Chalukya architects did not use mortar. It allows ventilation of light to the innermost part of the temples.
- The vestibules were ornamented with artificial lights which eliminated darkness as well as added some kind of mystic feeling.
- The doorway panels of Chalukya temples are highly decorated and consist of pilasters, molded lintel, and cornice tops.
- Arabesque is a Muslim art design bearing linear artistic decoration with patterns of flowers, leaves, branches, or twisted branches. This design is seen in triangular spaces of domicile ceilings.
- Chhajja, a double-curved projective eave, is generally seen in Chalukyan temples. Muktesvara temple is an example of it.
- Cornice is used in Chalukya temple for downward movement of rainwater or to save from scorching heat.
- The use of soapstone for projection in wall carvings is a common feature in Chalukya temples.
- The Chalukya temples are mainly dedicated to different Hindu deities like Durga, Shiva, Vishnu, etc.
- Chalukya architecture has both cave temple design and structured temple design.
- Chalukya architects used the stellate plan or northern stepped diamond plan for architectural design.
- The decorative pillars with their intricate design of western Chalukya architecture are also known as the Gadag style of architecture.
- The Karnata Dravida tradition of architecture initiated by Chalukya of Badami matured under the hand of Hoysala. The broken ornamentation of walls with projections and recesses was followed by Hoysala artists. Chalukya architecture is also called the precursor of Hoysala art.
Questions to try :
- Narrate the influence of Muslim art in Chalukya temple architecture. (100 words)
- Write a short note on the decoration of Chalukya architecture. (150 words)
- Chalukya temples are perfect Vesara style but with its uniqueness. Narrate.
- Write a short note – (a) Gadag style (b) Karnataka Dravida tradition
- Chalukya architecture is the precursor of Hoysala art– narrate.
Article by : Samiran Saikia
can you please describe the muslim architecture of India in brief ? Thanks