Pandyan art and architecture

Vettuvan Koil in Kalugumalai, Pandyan architecture, 8th century CE

The Pandyan empire is believed to have first emerged circa 600 BC and was one of the leading Tamil dynasties of Southern India.[1] There were various forms of art and many architectural communities within the empire, and their work was sold to overseas markets.[2] Rock cutting and structural temples are examples of these, playing a significant role in Pandyan culture.[3] The rock carvings typically depicted religious figures, floral motifs and animals and were made to surround temples and shrines.[4]

The vimana, gopuram and mandapa are some of the predominant features of the early Pandyan temples.[5] Groups of small temples are seen at the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu.[1] In the later stages of Pandyan rule, finely sculptured idols, gopurams and vimanas were developed. Gopurams are the rectangular entrance and portals of the temples.[6][7]

Pandyan Art and Architecture
Years active3rd century BCE - 14th century CE
LocationIndia
InfluencesDeities of Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Other integral art forms of these Pandyan communities were the paintings, poetry, music and punch-marked coins, each with symbols and transcriptions holding meaning to society.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ a b Rajan, K. V. Soundara (1998). Rock-cut Temple Styles: Early Pandyan Art and the Ellora Shrines. Somaiya Publications. ISBN 978-81-7039-218-7. OCLC 40418585.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Rajadhyaksha, P. L. Kessler and Abhijit. "Kingdoms of South Asia – Indian Pandyas". www.historyfiles.co.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. ^ Thangapandian, K. (2014). "The Artisan Community and Crafts Production During the Later Pandyas". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 75: 239–245. JSTOR 44158385.
  5. ^ Desai, Pandurang Bhimarao; Ritti, Shrinivas; Gopal, Balakrishnan Raja (1971). Studies in Indian History and Culture. OCLC 1129471497.[page needed]
  6. ^ Allen, Margaret Prosser (1991). Ornament in Indian architecture. Newark: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-399-8. OCLC 22709659.[page needed]
  7. ^ Mansingh, Surjit (2006). Historical dictionary of India (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6502-0. OCLC 265011255.[page needed]
  8. ^ Rapson, E. J. (1898). "Xii. Coinage of S.india". Indian coins. pp. 35–38. doi:10.1515/9783111405957-012. ISBN 978-3-11-140595-7.
  9. ^ Arnold, Alison (25 September 2017). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: South Asia: The Indian Subcontinent. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-54438-2.
  10. ^ Iyengar, K. R. Srinivasa (1979). "Review of Six Long Poems from Sangam Tamil". Indian Literature. 22 (3): 158–164. JSTOR 23329996.