TAMIL NADU- THE LAND OF DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE
- Nishita Chopra
- May 23, 2021
- 4 min read
Oldest in architecture, oldest in language...Tamil Nadu's art and architecture emerged thousands of years ago. The architecture of the state is popularly known as Dravidian Architecture. Pallavas were the pioneers of South Indian Architecture. Their greatest architectural achievements are the temples sculpted on the rock of Mahabalipuram. The coastal temples built by Narasimhavarmani II near Mahabalipuram are now a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. The earliest examples of the Dravidian style belong to the Badami Chalukya-Pallava period. The most stunning temples are the rocky temples dating from 610s to 690s and structural temples between 690-900.
Pandya Architecture
The official symbol of the government of Tamil Nadu is the Srivilliputtur Andal Temple. The primary aspect of the temple is the 12 story tower structure dedicated to the ruler of Srivilliputturit. The tower is 59m high, the height which makes it the official symbol of the state government. The other temples of Pandyan architecture include the Meenakshi temple in Madurai.
Chola Architecture
The Chola rulers were quite the builders and their lineage is seen in the Vijayalaya Chozhisvaram Temple near Narttamalai. At the height of their power, The Chola rulers left more than 2300 temples and the Tiruchy-Thanjavur belt had more than 1500 temples. The majestic Shiva temple in Thanjavur was built by Raja Rajai 1 in 1009 along with the Gangaikonda Cholapuramit Brihadisvara Temple which was completed in 1030. These two monuments are most suitable for material and military achievements of the time of the two Chola emperors.
Tanjore Brihadisvara is the largest and the tallest temple in India and is the culmination of South Indian architecture. The temples built during the Chola Empire over the 200 years reflect the glory, prosperity, and sustainability of their rule.
Stone Architecture
The architecture evolved from the Pallava to Chola dynasties. The temples developed from cave temples to rock-cut temples with the earliest stone temple seen in Mahabalipuram. There is extensive construction made in the cave temples that are constructed in South Indian style. The pillars of the earlier times were square in plan. The base of the pillars has lion sculptures that are a feature of the Pallava Structures. The five stone temples in Mahabalipuram are sculpted out of rocks, placed one behind the other called Pancharatha. Each style of the temple is different and is hence a catalogue of the temple styles of the time. The Baktavatsala Temple of Tamil Nadu is the ultimate example of Dravidian Architecture.
Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava Dynasty from the 7th to the 9th century. The city holds ancient stone temples and is famous for the Kailashanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples. There is notable evolution in the South Indian architectural style from Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram. The architecture varies from the simple cave temples to the developed Baroque style.
The Kailashanatha temple is a completely built-in sandstone, resulting in the best quality of the detailed sculpture. The temple looks like a stable pyramidal structure.
The Vaikunta Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The vimana resembles the Kailashanatha temple but has varied precincts. This temple has one shrine surrounded by a corridor with lion pillars near the vimana.
The architecture of Padmanabhapuram, the wooden palace is of the Malabar west coast style. Other than the royal temple made of stone, all the other buildings in the palace are made of wood. The roof is slated and sloping and holds wooden engravings on the gable while the walls are latticed that allow in air. This palace has many common elements with the wooden construction of Southeast Asia. Unpainted teak wood has been used in the construction. The buildings are a combination of white walls and slate brown that offers the appearance and comfort of residential architecture.
Tiruvannamalai
This town is known as the temple town of Tamil Nadu as it holds more than a hundred temples. The Arunachaleshwara temple has the holy Arunachala mountain overlooking the town. The Gingee Fort is a huge fort of Tamil Nadu encompassing palaces, public offices, temples, and mosques.
Natraja is one temple town where pilgrims gather. The construction here belongs to the Chola era and exudes an example in a uniform style. The architecture seen in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram during the Pandya dynasty of the budding gopura attained style and grew more organized in the Chola period.
Noted for its architectural finish and beauty, the Brihadeswara Temple. The Ranganatha temple of Tamil Nadu encompasses the largest precincts in India. There are tanks, small shrines, and many pillared halls all with the Vijaynagar style of sculpture and decor.
The Nayaka palace of Tanjavur holds heavy Islamic Influence that is seen in its arches and domes. The castle was built in the 17th century and it looks like the vimana of a Hindu Temple.
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu also holds many colonial buildings that belong to the 19th century. Chennai being the first important settlement of the British, has a notable influence of the European architectural styles such as Neoclassical, Roman, Gothic, and Rilinda. The first structures were all utilitarian such as warehouses and then it expanded further to detailed structures with the intervention of the Portuguese, Danish, and French. For years, Neo-gothic, Renaissance, and Victorian took more architectural precedence as seen in some of the churches that have been built in the city.
The famous Holy Mary Church was built in 1680 inside St George Fort. The church has a bell tower and boasts of European, Roman, and Continental architecture styles. Later in 1912, the church was planned in Gothic architecture that made the interiors more spacious.
Tamil Nadu has a divine charm in all of its architectural forms that enchant the eye of the beholder. The plethora of temples and churches with their detailed design is a pure delight to look at and be marked in history forever.
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