Pallava Monuments and Sculptures

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.