10 - Chola Art Flashcards
What is the Vaikunthaperumal Temple dedicated to?
Vishnu
Built by Pallava king Nandivarman II (731-796 CE)
What is a Prashasti?
Royal eulogy celebrating the achievements of kings
Often presented in figures. i.e, Lion shaped pillars.
What does the Varaha Avatar of Vishnu depict?
Vishnu’s incarnation as a boar
Commonly seen in Pallava art.
How is Vishnu depicted in ‘Vishnu Triumphant on Garuda’?
Sitting on Garuda with a disc and conch shell in hand
Symbolizing his divine authority.
Gallery of Gods: subject to worship, not the gallery of kings
What scenes are depicted in the Mahabharata at Mahabalipuram?
Scenes from the Mahabharata
- of Kings, Heroes and Gods
Including images from Calukya and Angkorian periods.
Who is depicted on the coins of Rajaraja I?
Rajaraja I, king of the Chola dynasty
Style continuation from Palava to Chola
Important figure in Tamil history (r. 985-1014).
What is the Rajarajesvara Temple dedicated to?
Shiva as Rajaraja’s lord
- 66 m heigh tower
- 9 m high linga inside as God
Built between 1003-1010 CE under Rajaraja I.
What features does the Eastern Gopura of Rajarajesvara Temple include?
Dvarapalas (doorkeepers) and scenes from the Mahabharata
Showcasing architectural and artistic elements.
Inscriptions on temple walls
extensive Kings genealogy and conquests
Also adapted into film versions.
What does Nandi represent in Hindu art?
Sacred bull associated with Shiva
sitting in front of the God
Symbolizing strength and devotion.
What is the significance of Durga Mahishasuramardini in Chola art?
Durga as the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura
A common motif representing victory of good over evil.
What does the Chola Bronze of Rajarajeshvara depict?
Ganesha
son of Siva and Parvati with Elefant head
11th-12th century bronze statue housed at the Met, NY.
What is depicted in the sculpture of Shiva and Parvati from the 10th-11th century?
- small bronzes significance?
- Chola face?
Shiva and Parvati
- portable idols
- incarnations for processions
CHOLA FACE:
- princely appearane
- oval face
- sharp nose
- fleshy lips
Another version features their son Skanda.
holding attrictubes hatchet and Gazelle
What is the Lost Wax Casting Process?
Model creation, moulding, wax pouring, heating, and metal casting
for serial production
Used for Chola bronze sculptures.
-What does dancing Shiva Nataraja in fire ring represent?
Destruction, re-creation, and victory
very successful Chola Bronze
dynamic energy
Drama and hope
fearleass gesture
standing on dwarfish, ignorant figure
tambourine symbolizes sound
time is cyclic and infinite
at end of cosmic cycle Siva starts dancing and destruction
11th-century bronze sculptures found in the Guimet Museum (Paris) and Dallas Museum.
What does the Rajarajesvara Temple in Tanjavur feature?
Shiva as Lord (Isvara)
Dancing Shiva
Built by King Rajaraja I (1003-1010 CE).
When was the Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram built?
Around 1025 CE
Ganges temple
rich narrative reliefs on discourse of Shaiva kingship
Built by Rajendra I, son of Rajaraja I.
What does Shiva Ardhanarisvara symbolize?
- Balance and unity of male and female principles: androgynous
- Beginning and union of all things
- combined figures of Vishnu and Shiva
- different aspects of divine origins
- ultimate divine principle
- dynamics of emanation and resorption
Representing Purusha and Shakti.
What is Harihara?
Combined representation of Vishnu and Shiva
Depicting the two gods as a single entity.
