6 - Sculpture

Summary

A broad spectrum of divinities received worship in the temples of Southern India between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries, reflecting the sustained popularity of the major cult deities in all of their manifold aspects. They include several newly fashionable gods associated with particular temple centres: for example, Venkateshvara of Tirumala and Narasimha of Ahobilam in the Telugu zone, and Varadaraja of Kanchipuram and Ranganatha of Srirangam in the Tamil zone. The cults of some deities, such as Vitthala, were even imported from outside the region, in this case from the Maratha zone to the north. The importance accorded such divinities extends also to the realm of saints, as is demonstrated by the popularity of legendary personalities such as Kannappa, Chandesha and Sambandar.

Virtually all of these gods and saints find their expression in the art of the period. Three-dimensional stone or metal images are enshrined within temple sanctuaries or inserted in niches; relief compositions cover basements, walls and columns. Nor is this figural art limited to mythological and legendary personalities; a host of guardians, maidens, dancers and musicians plays a significant part in temple sculpture. Human depictions include rulers and their retinues, generally in the role of devotees. Their visualisation in granite and bronze may be considered an outstanding artistic achievement.