“They asserted themselves in the Mysore region about the beginni...
- The Hoysalas South Indian dynasty who asserted themselves in the Mysore region about the beginning of the 12th century. The temples they built at Halebid and Belur look like lace work in stone. The decoration is elaborate, the emphasis being more on ornamentation than movement or the grace of the human body. Hoysala sculptures are somewhat squat and short, highly embellished, or almost over-loaded with ornamentation, but yet are pleasing to behold.
- A splendid example of the Hoysala sculptural art is portrayed in the carving showing Lord Krishna holding aloft the mountain Goverdhana to save the inhabitants of Gokul from the wrath of Indra, who let loose torrential rains to teach them a lesson for their insolence, in paying homage to Mount Govardhana instead of worshipping him. The Mountain with its forest and animal kingdom is held aloft by the youthful Krishna on his left hand, sheltering the entire population of Gokul, including the cows.
- Chalukyas - It was a Classical Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties i.e Badami Chalukyas, Eastern Chalukyas and Western Chalukyas. The kings of this dynasty were called Umapati Varlabdh and built many temples for the Hindu god Shiva. The building material they used was a reddish-golden Sandstone found locally. These cave temples are basically excavations, cut out of the living rock sites they occupy. They were not built as their structural counterparts were, rather created by a special technique known as "subtraction" and are basically sculptural.
- Rashtrakutas -They ruled the large parts of peninsular India between the sixth and 10th centuries. Their contributions to art and architecture are reflected in the splendid rock-cut cave temples at Ellora and Elephanta. They renovated these Buddhist caves and re-dedicated the rock-cut shrines. Amoghavarsha I espoused Jainism and there are five Jain cave temples at Ellora ascribed to his period. The most extensive and sumptuous of the Rashtrakuta works at Ellora is their creation of the monolithic Kailasanath Temple.
- Vijayanagara – It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of Sangama Dynasty, Vijayanagar architecture is a vibrant combination of the Chalukya, Hoysala, Pandya, and Chola styles , which evolved from prior empires in earlier centuries. Preferred for its durability, local hard granite was the building material of choice, as it had been for the Badami Chalukyas. Vijayanagar temples are characterized by ornate pillared halls and rayagopurams, or monumental towers adorned with life size figures of gods and goddesses that stand at the entrance of the temple.The courtly architecture of Vijayanagar is generally made of mortar mixed with stone rubble and often shows secular styles with Islamic-influenced arches , domes , and vaults.
- Some famous temples of Vijayanagar style include the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi and the Hazara Rama temple of Deva Raya I.
“They asserted themselves in the Mysore region about the beginni...
Hoysalas
The passage describes the Hoysalas as the rulers who asserted themselves in the Mysore region around the beginning of the 12th century. They were known for their remarkable architectural and sculptural achievements, particularly seen in the temples they built at Halebid and Belur.
Architecture
- The temples built by the Hoysalas at Halebid and Belur are known for their intricate and exquisite stone carvings.
- The temples are often described as lacework in stone, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship and artistic skill of the Hoysala artisans.
Sculptural Art
- One of the most famous examples of Hoysala sculptural art is the carving depicting Lord Krishna holding the mountain Goverdhana to protect the people of Gokul from the anger of Indra.
- This sculpture is a testament to the Hoysala's mastery in stone carving and their ability to bring mythological narratives to life through their art.
In conclusion, the passage highlights the significant contributions of the Hoysalas to the architectural and sculptural heritage of India, particularly in the Mysore region. Their temples and sculptures continue to be admired for their beauty and intricacy, showcasing the rich cultural legacy of the Hoysala dynasty.
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