Chola Art and Style of Architecture

Chola Art and Sculpture:

Chola art and sculpture styles are famous after the Pallava Sculpture and architecture. Still, we can see many Chola-style sculptures adorning the temple walls in South India. Chola Kings encouraged Saivism and Vaishnavism, and most of their temples were dedicated to either Lord Shiva or Vishnu. During the Chola dynasty, the Vastu Shastra thrived at its peak, and all the temples were constructed according to Temple Vastu Shastra. Before the Chola period, stone sculptures were placed in the temples. But during the Chola dynasty, the kings also encouraged the sculptures of Bronze. These Bronze sculptures were exquisite, rhythmic and grace. The famous Nataraja bronze sculpture is the best example to know the grace of Bronze sculptures.

Cholas as the Patrons of Art:

During the early Chola period, the kings Aditya I and Parantaka I constructed several Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples. These temples seem small; most were not built, according to Vastu Shastra. These temples were constructed with bricks. The sculpture of Vijayalacholeswaram near Pudukkoltai in Tamilnadu is completed, as we said above. But the Chola sculptures and temples were quite different from earlier constructed temples. The Chola temples were profoundly built by following the Vastu Shastra. These temples have Garbhagriha, Vimana and circulatory corridors and monumental sculptures. We can see all these features at Muvarkovil temple to know the glory of Chola Temple architecture.

Rajaraja Chola and Brihadiswara Temple:

Among the kings of the Chola dynasty, Rajaraja Chola was a great ruler who gave an o the Chola sculptures and architect a great biosecure. He constructed Brihadiswara Temple with monumental architecture. The temple construction and architecture are still a surprise to the present engineers. Gangaikonda Chola Puram temple and Tiruvalisvaram temple are the best examples of the brilliant style and magnificent work of the Chola style of art. These temple constructions were complex relief sculptures and reflected the style. The comic figures also studied various places in these temples. In these temples, we can see the big building style of Gopurams, majestic Vimanas and mandapas.

Another marvellous thing is that many temples are constructed with granite and hard rock. The Brihadiswara temple was built with granite and hard stone. The Chola sculpture is carved with detailed works. The ornaments dwelled with precise details, and we’re done intricately. Besides the principal deities, the artists made the perforated windows, animal images and motifs. While looking at these sculptures, we can feel they are alive.

Cholas and Bronze Sculptures:

The Cholas sculpture of the temples combines stone pillars, Gopurams, magnificent sculptures and well-carved relief works. These combination temples belonged to the 12th century. Chola Kings also encouraged the artists who made bronze sculptures. During the Chola period, the artists did many experiments with bronze sculptures. The artists used the lost wax technique and followed the complete Indian Shilpa Shastra.