Mahabalipuram. Arjan Rath
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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Here we see the second Rath of the five, representing an elaborate development of the cell type manifested in Rath One, the Durga shrine, with a simple 'hut-like' roof. The Rath is still a square building employing the post and lintel design of the first, but now there is a pronounced multiplication of sculptural material, and a surmounting tower of a very particular type is present. By this type of tower, we can properly distinguish northern styles from southern styles: the southern towers are constructed as if an ordinary forest shrine, resting on an ordinary base, were trying to imitate a city wall, with thatched lookout posts stacked upon the surface of the roof. In this respect, the early form of the gopuram (see slide four) has been introduced. The underlying structure of this type of tower is its horizontal rhythm which, in contrast to the northern styles, is not mainly concerned with overall height. A much more organic character pervades the decoration as well
the surface is truly alive with tangible objects. the capstone at the very top is also characteristically southern and helps counterbalance the character of the architecture, back toward a more inorganic nature, because its form is not imitating living material.
the surface is truly alive with tangible objects. the capstone at the very top is also characteristically southern and helps counterbalance the character of the architecture, back toward a more inorganic nature, because its form is not imitating living material.
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Archives Series
Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
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This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.
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