8 Questions
What is unique about the sculptural work of the Pallava period from Mamallapuram?
The sculpture is uneven but spontaneous in representation
What is the significance of the cleft in the Mamallapuram sculpture?
All the figures are shown facing the cleft
What is the name of the relief according to some scholars?
Gangavatarana
What is notable about the animal figures in the Mamallapuram sculpture?
They show the artists' close observation of the natural world
What is the characteristic of the figures in the lower part of the composition?
They are shown in meditating postures
What is the significance of the four-armed figure to the right of the cleft?
It is a representation of Shiva
What is the alternative name proposed for the relief by some scholars?
Arjuna's Penance
What is characteristic of the treatment of the figures in the Mamallapuram sculpture?
They are soft and rounded
Study Notes
Pallava Monuments
- The monuments of the Pallavas include cave temples, structural temples, and monolithic structures.
Mamallapuram Relief
- The relief is carved on two huge boulders in Mamallapuram.
- The sculpture is uneven, distinct, and spontaneous in representation.
- The composition features a crowd of life-size human and animal figures, including gods, demi-gods, and sages in flying positions.
- All figures face a cleft between the two boulders.
- The upper part of the relief shows a lot of movement and energy, while the lower part appears calmer.
- Ascetic figures are shown in meditating postures.
Identification of the Relief
- Some scholars believe the relief is called Gangavatarana, depicting Shiva receiving the flow of the Ganges in his hair.
- Others think it is Arjuna's Penance, featuring Arjuna in a meditating posture.
Characteristics of the Sculpture
- The sculpture is a distinctly Pallava Period work, featuring enormous speed and monumentality.
- The animal figures show close observation of the natural world, such as a sleeping baby elephant, monkey figures, and a deer scratching its nose.
- The figures have softness and roundness in their treatment.
Significance
- The relief is considered one of the masterpieces of Indian sculptures from the southern part of the country.
This quiz is about the architectural and sculptural works of the Pallava dynasty, including cave temples, structural temples, and monolithic structures, with a focus on the relief sculpture at Mamallapuram.
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