The Pallava Sculptures- A View

               The Pallava Sculptures-A VIEW

The history of the Pallavas is well known to everyone, so there is no need to go into it in depth. The 200 years from the 6th century AD to the 8th century AD were a period of great artistic development. The period of Mahendravarman I, his son Narasimhavarman Mamallan and Rajasimhavarman II Narasimhavarman are the most important. The later Pallavas followed their artistic style. The history of the Pallavas can be classified into 3 periods.
1) The first period is the period of Mahendravarman-I
2) The second period is the period of Narasimhavarman-I
3) The period of Rajasimhavarman II Narasimhavarman.

Mamallapuram 
Although Pallava sculptures are found in Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pudukkottai, Trichy, and some other places in Tamil Nadu, the sculptures in Mamallapuram are particularly special. Here, bas-relief sculptures are carved more than individual sculptures.

Two types of sculptures can be found in Mahabalipuram

Secular and non Secular
Secular Sculptures
1) Shakti Sculpture
2) Saivism
3) Vaishnavism

non-secular Sculptures
Portayal Sculpture i.e. the images of the king and queen.

What Is Bas Relief Sculptures-?
It is a scene of a mythological or historical event carved on a wall. Although this type of sculpture developed from the period of Narasimhavarman, the period of Mahendravarman I can be considered the first stage.
1) Arjuna Tapasu
2) Govardhanadhari
3) Mahishasura Mardini
4) Varahara, the Earth-Lifting God
5) Sayana Perumal

Arjuna Penance

The relief sculpture known as Arjuna's Penance is the largest sculpture complex in Mamallapuram. It was erected during the reign of Narasimha Varman, also known as Mamalla. It is reminiscent of a heavenly scene.
Decodes of Sculptures in Arjuna Penance
Deer- Durga
Sculpture of Nagaraja- Naga worship
Elephant sculptures- Indra
Swan- Brahma
This sculpture group was named Arjuna Tapas after the meditating sage.

Along the path of the five Ratha Temples, there are unfinished relief sculptures, similar to the Arjuna penance sculptures, in which swan and Gandharva figures are carved. For some reason, it was not completed.

Govardhanadhari Sculpture
After the Arjuna penance sculpture, the next most impressive sculpture is the Govardhanathari sculpture. It depicts Krishna lifting the Govardhana mountain. Krishna is flanked by his cowherd Girls and his brother Balarama. It is carved as if a cowherd is milking a cow.

Mahishasura Marthini War Scene
The scene of Durga fighting the buffalo-headed demon Mahisha is very special. Durga, who has eight arms, is helped by the Bhutha Ganas as she fights Mahisha. This is one of the unique sculptures of Mamallar. It reminds us of Shakti worship.

Varaha Lifting Bhooma devi

This sculpture in the Adi Varaha Cave is another testament to Mamallar's early wisdom. Vishnu, in the form of Varaha, is shown lifting the earth, or Goddess Bhuma, on his lap. He is flanked by the Gandharvas.

Vaikundam Scene- Anantha Sayana- Vishnu
This Ananta Sayana Vishnu sculpture is also located in the same cave where the Mahishasura Mardini relief sculpture is located. Vishnu is lying on the five-headed snake Adiseshan, and the demons Madhu and Kailaba are present to disturb his sleep. Gandharvas are worshipping him near Vishnu.

Narasimha Varman, also known as Mamallan, not only built relief sculptures but also built a monolithic temple called the Five Rathas. During his time, the practice of placing the deity images in the Kara Kudus and the Somaskandar sculpture also gained importance. Mamallan also built some Kakudaivari temples.
Some of them are unfinished. who was also specialized in Lion Pillar in Rock-cut temple and Ratha Temple 
1) Koneri Mandapam
2) Kodikal Mandapam
3) Thirumurthi Mandapam
4) Adi Varaha Mandapam
These five Radha temples cannot be found anywhere except Mamallapuram.

Portrayal-Non Secular Sculptures
The practice of carving images of kings and queens in temples can be said to have begun from the time of the Pallava king Mahendravarman I. An example of this is the carvings of Mahendravarman and the kings in the Adi Varaha temple. There is also a sculpture of Mahendravarman's father Simhavarman. Among the five chariots in Mamallapuram, there is a sculpture of Narasimhavarman I.

The Era of Raja Simha allice Narasimha Varman-II
Compared to the Pallava king Mahendravarman, Narasimhavarman and Rajasimha created beautiful and unique sculptures. Rajasimha built the Kshatriya Simmeswaram (coast temple) in Mamallapuram, the Adirana Sanda Mandapam in Chaluvankuppam, the Kailasanathar temple in Kanchipuram, and the Thalagiriswara temple in Panamalai. Each of his sculptures is unique. During Rajasimha's time, the Jyeshta Devi temple, also known as the eldest goddess, was worshipped in the temple and can be seen in the Panamalai temple.
1) Pouncing Lion Pillar
2) Bhikshathana Shiva
Sculpture
3) Durga Sculpture
4) Urthva Thandava Sculpture - These types of sculptures can be found in the Kailasanathar temples in Kanchipuram and the Thalagiriswara temples in Panamalai.

5) Destruction Forms of Siva

Panamalai Talagrishvara Temple Sculptures

Brahma With Saraswathi
Brahma, who is seated on the Sukhasana, holds a kamandalam in his left upper hand and his right lower hand rests on his feet. He wears a kerit crown on his head. He has a kamala on his right upper hand. Saraswati is in a sleeping posture near him.

Vishnu with consort lakshmi

She is seated on a comfortable seat. She holds a wheel and a conch in her hands. She is wearing a crown of cherubs. Lakshmi is in a state of rest.

1) Simma Vahini
2) Pouncing Lion
3) Bhikshadhanar
4) Jyeshta Devi 

The later Pallava king Nandivarman II built the Vaikuntha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. The relief sculptures in it are world famous.

1) Sitting Lion
2) Vishnu Sculpture
3)  Narasimhar
4) Thirivikramar
5)  varahar
5) China Traveller sculpture- unique one

Poonjeri Inscription With Sculptors Name

In a small village called Pooncheri near Mamallapuram, a rock inscription has the names Kevantha Perunthachan and Kollan Seemakan. These may be the names of Mamallapuram sculptors. The name of the person who wrote this inscription is also mentioned, Gunamallan.
 
Conclusion
The Mamallapuram temple sculptures are ample evidence that the Pallavas gave great importance to both religions, Saivism and Vaishnavism.

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