Life in the Mini panels of Halebeedu
The Hoysasleshwara Temple of Dwarasamudra built in 1121 CE by Ketamalla, General of Vishnuvardhana, is rightly famed for its profuse ornamentation , the dynamic ,large figures on the outer walls and the incredibly detailed ceiling slabs.
It also has tiers and tiers of smaller friezes , crammed with innumerable figures of people and beasts, both real and mythological , all around the outer walls, the accordian like folds of which give a large surface area to work upon.
Life lies in these smaller details . The apprentices of the sculptors' guild that worked here must have had a free hand in choosing their motifs. And like modern day Art Students going all out with their ideas and techniques on public walls, those acolytes seem to have given free rein to their imaginative best.
Rows of elephants, each one doing its own thing, the more orderly Vyalas and horses , warriors, citizens enjoying music and dance , along with characters from the Epics spiritedly acting out their roles - all within narrow strips about 10 inches and not exceeding 15 inches in height.
It also has tiers and tiers of smaller friezes , crammed with innumerable figures of people and beasts, both real and mythological , all around the outer walls, the accordian like folds of which give a large surface area to work upon.
Life lies in these smaller details . The apprentices of the sculptors' guild that worked here must have had a free hand in choosing their motifs. And like modern day Art Students going all out with their ideas and techniques on public walls, those acolytes seem to have given free rein to their imaginative best.
Rows of elephants, each one doing its own thing, the more orderly Vyalas and horses , warriors, citizens enjoying music and dance , along with characters from the Epics spiritedly acting out their roles - all within narrow strips about 10 inches and not exceeding 15 inches in height.
The large figures in the niche are fine, but I feel it takes a lot more skill to squeeze in three or four characters ,with individual detailing, within a 6inch rectangle !
If one takes the time , one can see
An epic Battle with missiles flying around ;
A Street scene , with Musicians , guards and spectators in different kinds of attire ,
A couple of skillful Yali Riders , balancing on their mounts
A group of Dandies and damsels , whiling away.
A serene Krishna proving ample rain shelter to the numerous cows.
A young lad to whom all ladies look desirable , even one with a donkey;s head !......
A battalion of earnest soldiers rushing to war
A boisterous celebratory procession .
A fully laden cart trundling ahead
Gods, Godlings, Royals, rustics, drummers, dancers, the good, the bad ,the animals, ....each individual being with an individual character, with a mission in life, a job on hand..........what an absorbing Universe !
The sculptors invested so much of their imagination and sweat into creating these slices of life - we can afford to spend a few minutes admiring each of them.
God is certainly in the details.
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