Architecture of tamil nadu
Pallava architecture
The Pallava rock-cut temples are of Mahendravarman style. He carved temples out of the rocks and thus they were known as rock cut temples. It was really an innovation in the sphere of art because he did not use any other building materials. Therefore, he was hailed s Vichitra Chitta. In these rock cut temples, we find the sanctum sanctorum and on the walls of it beautiful sculptures. The pillars are carved in such a way that they stand on the heads of lions. The rock cut temples of Mahendravarman I are found at various places of Tamil Nadu. The most important among them are Pallavaram, Mamandur, Mahendravadi, Vallam and Thalavanur.
The monolithic rathas and sculptural mandapas constitute the Mamalla style of architecture. The Pallava king, Narasimhavarman I was known as Mamalla. He had converted the port of Mamallapuram as a beautiful city of art and architecture. The Monolithic rathas at Mamallapuram are now called as Pancha Pandava Rathas. Each ratha or chariot was carved out of single rock and hence the name monolithic. These rathas depict the five different forms of temple architecture.
The mandapas or halls at Mamallapuram had also belonged to the Mamallan period. Each mandapa was carved out of single rock. On the side- walls of these mandapas, beautiful sculptures depicting Puranic stories had been carved. The scene depicting the Goddess Durga’s attack on Mahishasura is seen in the Mahishasura Mardhini Mandapa. Such beautiful sculptures have also been carved in Thirumoorthi and Varaha mandapas. The most important among the Mamalla style of architecture is the Open Art Gallery. Several miniature sculptures have been carved beautifully on the wall of a big rock. The fall of the River Gange from the head of God Siva and the Arjuna’s penance are notable among them. The images of deer, monkey, cat, mouse and other animals are beautifully carved on this huge rock.
After rock-cut style temple and monolithic rathas pallava kings started making structural temples.
The earliest among the Pallava structural temples were the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram. These temples were built by using sandstones. The Vimana or tower of the Kailasanatha temple is shaped like hilly comb. This temple is considered as the Crown of Pallava architecture. This temple is also called as Rajasimheswaram. We also find beautiful sculptures in this temple. The sculptures depicting the scenes of the satirical drama Maththavilasa Prakasanam have been engraved in this temple. The Shore temple at Mamallapuram is also filled with numerous sculptures. This temple attracts tourists from all over the world.
The successors of Rajasimha had also built several structural temples at various places. Nandivarman II had built the Vaikunda Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram. The temples built by the later Pallava rulers are found at places like Kanchipuram, Panamalai, Kooram, Thiruthani and Gudimallam.
Pandyan architecture
The Pandya period is marked as renaissance period in the field of rock cut temple. The rock cut temples are known for their merit. More than 50 rock cut temples were excavated from the Pandya kingdom. More rock cut temples are found in Thirupparankundram, Anaimalai, Karaikudi, Kalugumalai, Malaiyadikurichi and Trichy. These temples were constructed for Lord Siva and Vishnu. Cave temples are also found in temples at Kalugumalai and Trichy. Rock cut caves were also there.
Structural temples were built on stones. They were simple in style. Each temple consists of Garbagraha, arthamandapa and mahamandapa. Such structural stone temples are found in Kovilpatty, Thiruppathur and Madurai. The Pandya kings constructed structural temples at Ambasamuthram, Thiruppathur. Mannarkudi, Madurai, Alagarkoil. Srivilliputhur and in Chinnmanur, Internal structures of these temples were constructed in a planned manner.
The second Pandya kings also promoted structural temples. The Vadapadrasayi temple at Srivilliputhur, Siva temple at Ambasamudhram, Vijayanarayana temple at Nanguneri. Lakshmi narayana temple at Athur are some of the famous structural temples. Pandya rulers built big gopurams at the entrance of the temples. Pandyas built temples mandapas, gopurams at Chidambaram and Srirangam. Kulasekara Pandya built arthamandapa. manimandapa and sannathi in every temple, Sundara Pandya and Sadaiyavarman built gopurams during their period. Pandya rulers renovated Alagarkoil and Jambukeswara temples.
Architechture under cholas
The Chola kings built many temples throughout their kingdoms. The temples of early Cholas are found in large number in the former Pudukottai region. These Chola temples reveal the gradual evolution of the Chola art and architecture. The Chola kings earlier built brick temples. Later they built stone temples.
The first Chola ruler Vijayalaya Chola built temple at Narttamalai. This is a stone temple. It is one of the finest examples of the early Chola temple architecture. Balasubramaniya temple of Kannanur in Pudukottai region and Thirukkatalai temple were built during the period of Aditya-I. Nageswarar temple at Kumbakonam is famous for sculptural work. King Parantaka I built Koranganatha temple at Srinivasanallur (Trichy District). Muvarkoil of Kodumbalur. They are good examples of the later Chola architecture and sculpture.
Besides all these temples of the Chola period, the greatest landmark in the history of south Indian architecture is Brhadeeswarar temple at Tanjore. This is also called as big temple. It has many architectural significance. It was built by Rajaraja I. This is the largest and tallest temple in Tamil nadu. Rajendra Chola built a temple at GangaiKonda Cholapuram which is also equally famous. King Rajendra Chola added credit to the Chola art and architecture. King Kulothunga I built a temple for Sun God at Kumbakonam. This temple is first of its kind in the south Indian architecture. Rajaraja II built Airavatheeswarar temple at Dharasuram.
Vijayanagara and Nayak architecture
There are many distinguishing features of Nayak temple architecture as pioneered by the Nayaks of Madurai and Tanjore. Among the main characteristics are the long corridors; the carved hundred-pillared and thousand-pillared mandapas (outdoor temple halls or porches); and the high, multi-storied gopurams (towers adorning the entrance of a temple), richly decorated with brightly-painted stone and stucco statues of animals, gods, and demons.
Arguably the greatest example of the Nayak style is the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai that was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. The temple has 10 ornate gopurams and a hall with 985 pillars, each of which is a sculpture in the Dravidian style.
The temple complex also includes a sacred temple tank, the Porthamarai Kulam, or Pond with the Golden Lotus. A portico on the west side of the tank contains remnants of Nayak paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Nayak civic architecture combines Dravidian and Islamic styles, as exemplified by the palace erected by King Thirumalai Nayak of the Madurai Nayak dynasty in 1636 CE. The palace features an octagonal throne room topped by a dome that rises 70 feet, held up by massive circular columns linked by Islamic pointed arches. The structure was constructed using foliated brickwork and the surface details finished in stucco mixed from shell lime and egg whites to provide a smooth and glossy texture.
Colonial architecture in tamil nadu (Indo-Saracenic Architecture)
Indo-Saracenic architecture represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian materials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The hybrid, combined diverse architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass, in a wonderful, almost playful manner.
lndo-saracenic architecture found its way into public buildings of all sorts such as railway stations, banks and insurance buildings, educational institutions, clubs and museums. Chepauk Palace in Chennai designed by Paul Benfield is said to be the first IndoSaracenic building in India, referred to as licentious ‘eclectic” incorporating elements and motifs of Hindu and Islamic precedents. Some of the principal characteristics of indosaracenic architecture are as follows:
- Onion (Bulbous) Domes
- Overhanging Eaves
- Pointed Arches,
- Cusped Arches, or Scalloped Arches
- Vaulted Roofs
- Domed Kiosks
- Many Miniature Domes, or Domed Chatris
When the British came to India, the European classical style (incorporating Greek and Roman Features such as columns, triangular pediments) was followed for the public and other buildings during their earlier period of colonial rule to reflect their self image as the holders of power and status. However they changed their mind after the Great Revolt of 1857 and went for the INDO-Saracenic types of buildings. However their colonial mind setting did not change. It can be known from Thomas Metcalf, an expert on the subject, who said, “in the public buildings put up by the Raj it was essential always to make visible Britain’s imperial position as ruler, for these structures were charged with the explicit purpose of representing empire itself. Since they wanted to legitimatize their rule, they decided to justify their presence by relating themselves to the previous rulers, the Mughals.. The British deliberately kept Mughal princes in power so as to not to provoke Indian contempt and to further establish their connection to the Mughals. These princes were a vision of the future, but the British also needed them to be a representation of the past. And it worked.