Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Chalukya & Kalinga
Sculptures
Chalukyan Sculptures
Mention has been made earlier that a few sculptures of
Chalukya origin are found in the village of Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The most outstanding
piece is that of Suryapitha, now worshipped as Navagraha in the big temple.
Images of Surya and Durga, also found by the side of Suryapitha in the same
temple, are from the Chalukyan area.
Another image of Durga enshrined in the shrine of Durga
to the north of the temple, (west of the Simha tirtha) is also executed in the
Chalukya style, but whether it actually comes from the Chalukya area is not
known. An image of Ganesa, now called Kanakkup pillaiyar in a temple about
three furlongs to the south-west of the great temple, is also Chalukyan in
origin. Another Durga, enshrined in a temple in Virareddi Street, is a fine
specimen of Chalukyan art.
The presence of so many Chalukya sculptures at
Gangaikonda Cholapuram need not surprise us, for the Cholas were in perpetual
war with the Chalukyas of Kalyan. Rajadhiraja I, the son and successor of
Rajendra I, conquered Kalyan and brought as a war trophy an image of Dvarapalas
from Kalyanapura. The image, now preserved in the Thanjavur Art Gallery, bears
an inscription on its pedestal, mentioning that it was a war trophy brought by
Udaiyar Vijayarajendra from Kalyanapura. Obviously the Chalukya sculptures
found in Gangaikonda Cholapuram were brought as war trophies by the successors
of Rajendra I.
Kalinga Sculptures
Three beautiful images of Kalinga origin have been
recently discovered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram by the Tamilnadu State Department
of Archaeology. The sculptures are found lying in a mound called
Kilaichengamedu, about one mile east of the great temple. The nearby village is
Meykavalputhur, the ancient body-guards' village.
Mention has been made that a Durga image which is said
to have guarded the eastern gate of the palace, is at Meykavalputhur. In fact,
it is an image of Kali, over seven feet in height. The entire image is covered
with ant-hills. Another image of Kali, decidedly of the period of Rajendra,
found here, represents the eight-armed Devi shown seated on a pedestal, holding
various weapons. A dying man is shown on the seat. Near this Kali image are
seen the Kalinga sculptures, two representing Siva as Bhairava and the third representing
Bhairavi. All the three sculptures are carved in red sandstone as found at Bhubaneswar
and Konarak and are excellent specimens of Kalinga art. The representation and
treatment are decidedly Kalinga.
Bhairava:
Siva as Bhairava is shown standing nude, with four arms,
holding sula and kadaa in the right arms and damaru and kapala in the left
arms. A mundamala is seen running upto his knees. The kinkini mekhala, a band
of small bells, adorns the waist. The Lord wears the jatamukuta with a garland
of skulls around the head. To the left of Siva, is shown an emaciated, nude
male figure with protruding eyes. To the right is shown a two armed emancipated
female figure, holding a head in the left arm. The emblem on the right is
obliterated.
Another beautiful image of Siva as Bhairava, with four
arms; the upper part of the body only upto the waist is available. The upper
right arm is broken; the lower right carries a khadga. The left arm holds
damaru and kapala. The kinkini mekhala is noticed. The kapalamala is also
found.
Bhairavi:
Devi as Bhairavi standing with eight arms holds sula,
sword a small dagger and probably a chouri in the right arms was also found
here. The left arms hold khatvanga, damaru, kapala and munda (head). The Devi
is also shown nude, and wearing a long mundamala extending below the knee. To
the right of Devi is shown a standing nude figure of a male, with two arms. To
the left is shown a dog.
Probably these Bhairava and Bhairavi images represent
Yogesvara and Yogini deities. Rajendra as a result of his Gangetic expedition
erected a temple of Yogesvara and Yogini at Kolar and arranged for offering
madhyamapana. Rajendra's generals, who returned after their historic march to
the Ganges through Kalinga, should have brought these valuable sculptures as
war trophies and erected a temple in the capital. The sculptures may be
assigned to 9th Century A.D.
Another image of Bhairavi, executed in granite, on the
model of Kalinga image is of crude workmanship and is by a local artisan. Its
presence shows the impact of Yogini cult on the local population.
