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Virupaksa Temple, Siva

Date

Authors

Frederic, Louis
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Description

This most elegant piece is more obviously Pallava than Calukya in its conception, but from now on, the two styles are so intermingled that it is difficult to separate them. Siva leans on the head and the hump of Nandin, while his other hand rests gracefully on his hip. The third hand wields the little drum whose celestial sound sets the rhythm of creation, and his fourth holds the banner of victory. The plinth bears floral decoration which derives from the Gupta style. On this occasion the statue was not carved after the completion of the temple, but was carried out at the same time on a separate block which was subsequently installed during the process of construction. This technique shows a sharp advance over that of more typically Calukyan temples of the same period, such as the Papanatha.

Citation

Source

Type

Archives Series

Basham Collection

Date created

1959

Access Statement

License Rights

This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.

DOI

Restricted until

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