Detail of a Statue of Rajaraja Chola I at the Brihadisvara Temple

The period of the imperial Cholas (c. 850 C.E. - 1250 C.E.) was an age of continuous improvement and refinement of the Dravidian art and architecture. They utilised their prodigious wealth earned through their extensive conquests in building long-lasting stone temples and exquisite bronze sculptures. Most of these still stand proudly articulating those glorious days. Image File history File links Raraja_detail. ... Image File history File links Raraja_detail. ... Detail of a statue of Rajaraja at Brihadisvara Temple Rajaraja Chola I was the king of the Chola dynasty, who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. Rajaraja, the greatest of all the Chola rulers of the Vijayalaya dynasty, laid the foundation for the growth of the Chola kingdom into an... The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ... The Chola dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: Chola pronounced Sola) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century CE. The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. ... The Early Cholas of the pre and post Sangam period (100 C.E. – 200 C.E.) were only the three main kingdoms of the ancient Tamil country. ... Ilamcetcenni was a Chola king during the Sangam age in South India. ... Karikala Chola was the greatest among the Chola kings of the Sangam age in South India. ... Nedunkilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Nalankilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Killivalavan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature, and of a period close to that of Nedunkilli and Nalankilli. ... Kopperuncholan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Kocengannan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Perunarkilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Medieval Cholas rose to prominence during the middle of the 9th century C.E. and established the greatest empire South India had seen. ... Vijayalaya was the Chola king of South India who captured Thanjavur during c. ... Aditya I (870-906) was an Indian ruler. ... Parantaka Chola I (907 c. ... Gandaraditya Chola succeeded his father Parantaka I and became the Chola king c. ... Arinjaya Chola succeeded Gandaraditya Chola c. ... Parantak Chola II (957 c. ... Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. ... Detail of a statue of Rajaraja at Brihadisvara Temple Rajaraja Chola I was the king of the Chola dynasty, who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. Rajaraja, the greatest of all the Chola rulers of the Vijayalaya dynasty, laid the foundation for the growth of the Chola kingdom into an... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Rajadhiraja Chola I (1018-1054) was the king of the Cholas empire in southern India and the eldest son of king Rajendra Chola I. Although not supreme king untill his fathers death in 1044 he was associated in kingship since 1018 He maintained Cholas authority over most of Lanka, despite... Rajendra Chola II (1054 – 1063 C.E.) reigned as the Chola king succeeding his brother Rajadhiraja Chola. ... Virarajendra Chola (1063 – 1070 C.E.) became the Chola king succeeding his brother Rajendra Chola II. Rajamahendra, Rajendra’s son and heir apparent died before his father and Rajendra made his younger brother Virarajendra his heir. ... Athirajendra Chola ( 1070 C.E.) reigned for a very short period of few months as the Chola king succeeding his brother Virarajendra Chola. ... The Chalukya Chola dynasty ruled the Chola Empire from 1070 C.E. until the demise of the empire in the second half of the 13th century. ... Kulothunga Chola was the offspring of two rival dynasties - the Cholas of Thanjavoor and the Chalukyas of Vengi when he came to the throne in 1070 A.D. The Cholas and the Chalukyas had always existed in constant warfare, spaced by periods of uneasy peace, for decades, due to differences... Vikrama Chola succeeded his father the famous Kulothunga Chola I to the Chola throne in 1120 C.E. He inherited an empire that had been severely confined to the Tamil country and a few out-lying areas of the Telugu country. ... Kulothunga Chola II succeeded his father Vikrama Chola to the Chola throne in 1135 C.E. Vikrama Chola made his heir apparent and coregent in 1133 C.E and so the inscriptions of Kulothunga II count his reign from 1133 C.E. Kulothunga II reigned over a period of general... Rajaraja Chola II succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola II to the Chola throne in 1150 C.E. He was made his heir apparent and coregent in 1146 C.E and so the inscriptions of Rajaraja II count his reign from 1146 C.E. Rajarajas reign began to show signs... Rajadhiraja Chola II (1163 – 1063 C.E.) reigned as the Chola king succeeding Rajaraja Chola II. He was not the direct descendent of Rajaraja Chola II, but a grandson of Vikrama Chola by his dauther. ... Kulothunga Chola III ruled the Chola empire after Rajadhiraja Chola II. His long reign was marked by Kulothungas abilities to bring order in the besieged kingdom and by his successes in reversing the growing weakness. ... Rajaraja Chola III succeeded Kulothunga Chola III on the Chola throne in July 1216 CE. Rajaraja came to the throne of a kingdom much reduced in size as well as influence. ... Rajendra Chola III was the son of Rajaraja Chola III who came to the Chola throne in 1246 CE. Although his father Rajaraja III was still alive, Rajendra began to take effective control over the administration. ... The Chola Government during the imperial period (850 – 1200) CE was marked for its uniqueness and innovativeness. ... Chola Military was one of the most well organised and effective fighting machines of the medieval times. ... Chola Literature denotes the literature, mainly in the Tamil language created during the period of Chola reign in south India between the ninth and the thirteenth centuries CE. The age of the imperial Cholas was the most create epoch of the history of South India and was the Golden Age... Poompuhar is a town in the southern part of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. ... Uraiyur: Literally meaning the living place, Uraiyur was an ancient Chola city with a fortress and citywall on the southern banks of river Ponni and was made the official capital of the Chola empire around 540 B.C.E. by Tittan ( henceforth he was called Uraiyur thandha Thiththan). ILancaeN Cenni... Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a village in the inland Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... The Cholas were a South Indian Tamil dynasty, antedating the early Sangam literature (c. ... Events April 20 - Guntherus becomes Bishop of Cologne. ... // April 30 - King Louis IX of France released by his Egyptian captors after paying a ransom of one million dinars and turning over the city of Damietta. ...

Architecture

The Cholas continued the temple building traditions of the Pallava dynasty and elevated the Dravidian temple design to heights never reached before. Every Chola Emperor built numerous temples through out the kingdom. The evolution of the temple architectural styles can be divided into three phases - the early phase starting with Vijayalaya Chola, the middle phase of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola when the achievements scaled heights never reached before or since and the final phase during the Chalukya Chola period of Kulottunga Chola I and after. It is also to be noted that the Cholas built many secular buildings such as public utility buildings and palaces. Many such buildings find mention in their inscriptions and in contemporary accounts. The golden palace Aditya Karikala built for his father Sundara Chola is an example fo such a building. However, unfortunately such buildings were of perishable materials such as timber and fired bricks and have not survived the ravages of time. Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ... Vijayalaya was the Chola king of South India who captured Thanjavur during c. ... Rajaraja Chola the first is considered the greatest of all Chola kings. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Parantak Chola II (957 c. ...

Early Chola Period

Pallavas were the first recognisable South Indian dynasty who have indulged in the pursuit of architectural innovations. We are fortunate to be in possession of some their numerous buildings and rock architecture. The first seeds of Dravidian temple architecture can be justifiably claimed to have been sown during this period. The temple architecture evolved from the early cave temples and monolith temples of Mamallapuram to the magestic Kylasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples of Kanchipuram. This architecture style formed the foundation, which the Cholas, who were in close contact with the Pallavas during their periods of decline (c. 4th to 9th century C.E), no doubt took some valuable lessons in designs. The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ... Shore Temple, rescued from the sea Mahabalipuram (after the demon king Mahabali) or Mamallapuram (after the Pallava king Mamalla) is a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. ...

The early Cholas built numerous temples. Aditya I and Parantaka I were prolific builder for their faith. Inscriptions of Aditya I record that he built a number of temples along the banks of the river Kaveri. These temples were much smaller in comparison to the huge monumental structures of the later Cholas and probably were brick structures rather than stone. The Vijayalacholeswaram near Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu is a good example of a surviving early Chola building. The style of this structure clearly shows the Pallava influences in the design. It has an unusual arrangement of a circular cella (where the deity resides) within a square prakara - circumbulatory corridor. Above this rises the vimana or the tower in four diminishing storeys of which the lower three are square and the top circular. Each level is separated from the next by a cornice. The whole structure is surmounted by a dome which in turn is topped with a stone kalasa - a crest. Very faint traces of paintings can be seen inside on the walls. These paintings are dated not earlier than the 17th century. The little temple of Nageswara at Kumbakonam is also of the same period. Aditya I (870-906) was an Indian ruler. ... The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ... Pudukkottai is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... A cella, in Ancient Greek and Roman temples was the central room that housed cult statues. ...

Vijayalaya Choleswaram - c 850 C.E.

The Koranganatha Temple at Srinivasanallur near Thiruchirapalli is an example of the period of Parantaka I. This temple is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. Koranganatha temple is a small temple with beautiful sculptures on every surface. The base of the wall has a row of sculpted mythical animals that were a unique feature of Chola architecture. The first floor is made of bricks which have been plastered. Image File history File links Vijayala_choleswaram. ... Image File history File links Vijayala_choleswaram. ... Events April 20 - Guntherus becomes Bishop of Cologne. ... Tiruchirapalli (also spelled Tiruchchirappalli, commonly known as Tiruchi or Trichy, formerly known as Trichinopoly under British rule) is a city situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, centrally located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Parantaka Chola I (907 c. ...

Muvar Kovil - c 970 C.E.

Muvarkovil - Temple of three, also in the Pudukkottai area was built by a feudatory of Parantaka Chola II during the second half of the tenth century. As the name suggests, the temple complex has three main shrines standing side by side in a row, along the north-south direction, facing west. Out of these three, only two, the central and southern vimanams are now extant. Of the third or the northern shrine, the basement alone remains. The architectural style of these shrines exhibit clear concordance with the later Chola temples. Image File history File links Movar_kovil. ... Image File history File links Movar_kovil. ... Events Major volcano eruption in Mashu Japan Devastating decade long famine begins in France Byzantine Emperor John I successfully defends the Eastern Roman Empire from massive barbarian invasion Construction completed on Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, worlds oldest Islamic university Births Leif Ericson, Norse explorer Seyyed Razi, important Muslim... Parantak Chola II (957 c. ...

Middle Period

Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius of Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I. The maturity and grandeur to which the Chola architecture had evolved found expression in the two maginificent temples of Tanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. The magnificent Siva temple of Thanjavur, completed around 1009 C.E. is a fitting memorial to the material achievements of the time of Rajaraja. The largest and tallest of all Indian temples, it is a masterpiece constituting the high watermark of South Indian architecture. Rajaraja Chola the first is considered the greatest of all Chola kings. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ...

The early phase of this period saw a number of smaller shrines around the Chola country. Notable amongst these is the Tiruvalisvaram temple near Tirunelveli. The temple is covered with exquisite well composed sculptures and freizes some containing comic figures. The entire cornice of the temple tower is embellished with designs of creepers and foliage. The other examples such temples can be seen at the Vaidyanatha Temple at Tirumalavadi and the Uttara Kailasa Temple at Thanjavur. Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ...

Detail of the main gopura (tower) of the Thanjavur Temple

The Tanjore Brihadisvara Temple is undoubtedly the grandest achievement of this age. It was more a monument of triumph than a strict example of temple architecture. It is in this temple that one notices for the first time two gopuras (towers oriented in the same direction. They are architecturally coeval with the main vimana and are referred to in inscriptions as Rajarajan tiruvasal and Keralantakan tiruvasal In spite of the massive size of the gopuras the vimana, rising majestically to a height of 190 feet, continues to dominate and it is only in the subsequent period that a change in the gradation of magnitude takes place. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (587x900, 70 KB) Summary Detail of the main Vimanam (Tower) of the Great Temple at Thanjavur Licensing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (587x900, 70 KB) Summary Detail of the main Vimanam (Tower) of the Great Temple at Thanjavur Licensing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with... The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ...

From the epigraphic evidence it is known about Rajaraja started building this temple on his 19th year and completed on 275th day of his 25th year. It took just 6 years to complete this work on 1010 A.D. Rajaraja named this temple as Rajarajesvaram and the deity Shiva in Linga form as Peruvudaiyar, the temple is also known in the deity's name as Peruvudaiyarkovil. In later period Maratta and Nayaks rulers constructed various shrines and gopurams of the temple. In later period when the Sanskrit language was more popular during the Maratha rule the temple was named in Sanskrit as Brihadisvaram and the deity as Brihadisvara.

This is perhaps the only temple in the world, which carries on its walls the engraved evidence, in beautiful calligraphy, of its entire history and the story of the contemporary society. Such an exhaustive documentation ranging over almost a hundred long inscriptions engraved on the walls, pillars and podium, is rare wealth, indeed of immeasurable value to the scholar.

The inscriptions give, apart from a comprehensive history of the times, a full enumeration of all the metallic images set up in the temple. Numbering about sixty-six, these icons are referred to with a description of the minutest details of size. shape and composition. This alone is a mine of information for the art historian.

The temple stands within a fort, whose walls are later additions built in the 16th century. The towering vimanam is about 200 feet in height and is referred to as Dakshina Meru (Southern Mountain). The octogonal Shikharam (crest) rests on a single block of granite weighing 81 tons. It is believed that this block was carried up a specially built ramp built from a site 6 kilometeres away from here. Huge Nandis (figures of the sacred bull) dot the corners of the Shikharam, and the Kalasam on top by itself is about 3.8 metres in height. Hundreds of stucco figures bejewel the Vimanam, although it is possible that some of these may have been added on during the Maratha period. The main deity is a lingam and is a huge, set in a two storeyed sanctum, and the walls surrounding the sanctum delight visitors as a storehouse of murals and sculptures. Stucco is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water which is applied wet, and hardens when it dries. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) The Lingam (also, Linga; Sanskrit लिङ्गं , meaning mark, or sign, ) is used as a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. ... A mural is a painting on a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface. ...

It is interesting to note that such a huge granite structure was built in a place where there is no source of building material to be found in situ. One can only image the gargantuan effort undertaken by the builders in procuring the necessary material for their endeavour.

Gangaikondacholapuram c. 1030 C.E.

The temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the creation of Rajendra Chola, was evidently meant to excel its predecessor in every way. Completed aroung 1030 C.E., only two decades after the Temple at Thanjavur and in much the same style, the greater elaboration in its appearance attests the more affluent state of the Chola Empire under Rajendra. The city of Gangaikondacholapuram was founded by Rajendra Chola probably to commemorate his victorious march to the Ganges. The city served as the main capital for the vast Chola Empire for over 250 years. Image File history File links Gangaikonda_cholapuram. ... Image File history File links Gangaikonda_cholapuram. ... Events July 29 - Battle of Stiklestad in Norway. ... Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a village in the inland Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ...

Though the temple of Gangaikondacholapuram follows the plan of the great temple of Tanjavur in most details it has a characteristics of its own. From the remains it may be seen that it had only one enclosure wall and a gopura while the Tanjavur temple has two gopuras and enclosures. It is larger in plan though not as tall, the vimana being 100 feet square at the base and 186 feet high. The temple, which forms a large rectangle 340 feet long and 110 feet wide occupies the middle of an immence walled enclosure mainly built for defensive purposes. The vimana has the same construction as in Thanjavur, but the number of tiers making up the pyramidal body is only eight as against 13 in Thanjavur. The most important difference lies in the introduction of curves in the place of the strong straight lines of the Thanjavur vimana. The pyramidal body is slightly concave in its outline at its angles while the sides are curved to produce a somewhat convex outline. These curves enhance the beuty of form of the vimana though they distract from its stateliness and power.

The Chola capital Gangaikondacholapuram was sacked by the invading Pandyas in later times. Only the great temple survived the sacking. It still shows signs of the conflict at its doorsteps. The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ...

Later Period

Airavateswarar Temple, Darasuram c. 1200 C.E.

The Chola style continued to flourish for a century longer and expressed itself in a very large number of temples. Of these two large temples are worthy of comparison to those of Rajaraja and Rajendra. The Airavateswarar temple at Darasuram near Thanjavur was built during the reign of Rajaraja Chola II is a magnificent structure is typical of the stage of architectural development reached in the 12th century C.E. This temple has the most artistic stone pillars and decorations on its walls, in a style bordering on mannerism, with an emphasis on elongated limbs and polished features. Best among them are the dark black basalt figures in the temple niches of Dakshinamurti, the image on the southern side of Shiva in a teaching attitude, and to the west, Shiva erupting out of the pillar of light to convince Brahma and Vishnu of his superiority. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. Image File history File links Airavateswarar_temple. ... Image File history File links Airavateswarar_temple. ... Events University of Paris receives charter from Philip II of France The Kanem-Bornu Empire was established in northern Africa around the year 1200 Mongol victory over Northern China — 30,000,000 killed Births Al-Abhari, Persian philosopher and mathematician (died 1265) Ulrich von Liechtenstein, German nobleman and poet (died... Rajaraja Chola II succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola II to the Chola throne in 1150 C.E. He was made his heir apparent and coregent in 1146 C.E and so the inscriptions of Rajaraja II count his reign from 1146 C.E. Rajarajas reign began to show signs...

The final example of this period is the Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam near Kumbakonam which has survived in good repair as built by Kulothunga Chola III. Kumbeswara temple at Kumbakonam Kumbakonam is a town in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. ... Kulothunga Chola III ruled the Chola empire after Rajadhiraja Chola II. His long reign was marked by Kulothungas abilities to bring order in the besieged kingdom and by his successes in reversing the growing weakness. ...

Sculpture and Bronze

Chola Bronze icon. Siva and Parvathi c. 1200 C.E.

The Chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures and bronzes. Among the existing specimens in the various museums of the world and in the temples of South India may be seen many fine figures of Siva in various forms, Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi, Siva saints and many more. Though conforming generally to the iconographic conventions established by long tradition, the sculptor worked in great freedom in the eleventh and the twelfth centuries and the sculptures and bronzes show classic grace, grandeur and perfect taste. The best example of this can be seen in the form of Nataraja the Divine Dancer. Image File history File links Bronze_siva. ... Image File history File links Bronze_siva. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ... In Hinduism, Parvathi (The Little One) is one of the names of the goddess Durga, also called Uma, Bhavani and Kali among others. ... Events University of Paris receives charter from Philip II of France The Kanem-Bornu Empire was established in northern Africa around the year 1200 Mongol victory over Northern China — 30,000,000 killed Births Al-Abhari, Persian philosopher and mathematician (died 1265) Ulrich von Liechtenstein, German nobleman and poet (died... A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, the tangible and intangible evidence of people and their environment. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari , with honorific Shri Vishnu; , ), (also frequently referred to as Narayana) is the most popularly worshipped form of God in Hinduism [1]. Within the Vaishnava tradition he is viewed as the Ultimate Reality or Supreme God (similarly to Shiva within Shaivism). ... For South Indian actress, see Laxmi (actress). ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Śiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ...

Purpose of the Icons

While the stone sculptures and the inner sanctum image empowering the temple remained immovable, changing religious concepts during the 10th century demanded that the deities take part in a variety of public roles similar to those of a human monarch. As a result, large bronze images were created to be carried outside the temple to participate in daily rituals, processions, and temple festivals. The round lugs and holes found on the bases of many of these sculptures are for the poles that were used to carry the heavy images. Admired for the sensuous depiction of the figure and the detailed treatment of their clothing and jewelry,

Although bronze casting has a long history in south India, a much larger and a much greater number of bronze sculptures were cast during the Chola period than before, further attesting to the importance of bronze sculpture during this period. It should be noted that when in worship, these images are covered in silk cloths, garlands, and jewels, and would not appear as they do outside a religious context. Decorating the bronzes in this way is a tradition at least a thousand years old as such decorations are referred to in 10th-century Chola inscriptions.

Hundreds of Chola bronzes have been smuggled out of India and have found their way into the private museums of art-collectors.

Lost Wax technique

Chola period bronzes were created using the lost wax technique. It is known in artistic terms as "Cire Perdure". The Sanskrit Shilpa texts call it the Madhu Uchchishtta Vidhana.

Beeswax and kungilium (a type of camphor) are mixed with a little oil and kneaded well. The figure is sculpted from this mixture fashoining all the minute details. This is the wax model original. R-phrases 11-20/21/22-36/37/38 S-phrases 16-26-36 RTECS number EX1260000 (R) EX1250000 (S) Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

The entire figure is then coated with clay made from termite hills until the mould is of a necessary thickness. Then the whole thing is dried and fired in an oven with cow-dung cakes. The wax model melts and flows out. Some of it vapourises. Now the clay-mould is empty and ready.

The metal alloy of bronze is melted and poured into the mould. This particular bronze alloy is known as "Pancha Lokam". It is wrongly thought that of containing gold. But it does not. When the metal has filled all crevices and has settled and hardened and cooled, the mould is broken off. The bronze figure thus obtained is then cleaned, finer details are added, blemishes are removed, smoothened, and polished well. Hence each bronze icon is unique and the mould cannot be used to create copies.

Elegant Style

The forms of Chola bronzes are very plastic. They are devoid of intricate ornaments and designs. They are very expressive. There is grace, elegance, beauty, and above all else - life. By means of the facial expressions and gestures or mudras and the pose, we can imagine the surroundings of the figure of the god or goddess; what instrument or weapon he or she is holding; what he or she is leaning on; and what he or she is doing or about to do.

There is a pose called Rishabaandhika pose. We see Siva standing with one leg crossed over to the other side, across the other leg . We see that the way His arm is flexed and raised, it is resting on something. The way that His body is tilted suggests that He is leaning on something. In this scenario, Siva is leaning on his bull-vahana, Nandhi, on whose shoulders He is resting His arm.

Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. He is active, yet aloof, like the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Surrounding Siva, a circle of flames represents the universe, whose fire is held in Shiva's left rear palm. His left front arm crosses his chest, the hand pointing in "elephant trunk" position (gaja hasta) to his upraised left foot, which signifies liberation. His right foot tramples the dwarf Apasmara, who represents ignorance. wat ignorance??? Image File history File links Chola Bronze statue of Nataraja at the Met of New York File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Chola Bronze statue of Nataraja at the Met of New York File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to simply as The Met, is one of the worlds largest and most important art museums. ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Åšiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ... COSMIC is also a code name used to label NATO classified information. ... Creation (theology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A German Thrash metal band formed in Lörrach, Germany in 1983. ... The deepest visible-light image of the cosmos, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. ... This article may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

Siva's right front hand is raised in the "fear-not" gesture of benediction (abhaya mudra), while his right rear hand holds a drum with which he beats the measure of the dance. The snake, an emblem of Siva, curls around his arm. His hair holds the crescent moon - another emblem - and a small image of Ganges, the river-goddess whose precipitous fall from heaven to earth is broken by Shiva's matted locks. Snakes are cold-blooded and need the sun to help regulate their body temperature. ... Adjective lunar Bulk silicate composition (estimated wt%) SiO2 44. ... Early morning on the Ganges The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ...

Chola Fresco

Chola Fresco of Dancing girls. Brihadisvara Temple c. 1100 C.E.

The Chola fresco paintings were discovered in 1931 by Mr.S.K.Govindasamy, a professor at the Annamalai University within the circumambulatory corridor of the Brihadisvara Temple are of great interest. These are the first Chola specimens discovered. The passage of the corridor is dark and the enthusiast finds the walls on either side covered with two layers of paintings from floor to ceiling. Image File history File links Chola_fresco. ... Image File history File links Chola_fresco. ... The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Events William II of England dies in a hunting accident - Henry I becomes King of England King Henry I proclaims the Charter of Liberties, one of the first examples of a constitution. ... Annamalai University is a university in Annamalai Nagar, India. ...

Researchers have discovered the technique used in these frescos. A smooth batter of limestone mixture is applied over the stones, which took two to three days to set. Within that short span, such large paintings were painted with natural organic pigments.

During the Nayak period the chola paintings were painted over. The Chola frescos lying underneath have an ardent spirit of saivism is expressed in them. They probably synchronised with the completion of the temple by Rajaraja Cholan the Great. Thanjavur Nayaks were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 16th to the 19th century C.E. Nayakas were subordinates of the imperial Vijayanagara emperors, and were appointed as provincial governors by the Vijaya Nagar Emperor. ... Shaivism, also Saivism, is a branch of Hinduism that worships Siva as the Supreme God. ...

External links

• http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/chola/chola.htm - The lost wax process.
• http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=250

References

• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. The CōĻas, University of Madras, Madras, 1935 (Reprinted 1984).
• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi, 1955 (Reprinted 2002).
• Vijayalaya Choleswaram - http://pudukkottai.org/places/narttamalai/02narttamalai.html
• Koranganatha Temple - http://www.tn.gov.in/trichytourism/other.htm
• Brihadiswara Temple - http://www.thanjavur.com/bragathe.htm
• Gangaikondacholapuram - http://tamilartsacademy.com/books/gcpuram/cover.html
• Chola Fresco - http://www.thebigtemple.com/frescos.html
• Bronze Sculpture of the Chola Period - http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=7