CHOLAS CONTRIBUTION TO INDIAN

ART AND CULTURE

ART AND ARCHITECTURE UNDER THE CHOLAS

The Chola kings built many temples throughout their

kingdoms.
The temples of early Cholas are found in large number in the
former Pudukottai region.

These Chola temples reveal the gradual evolution of the

Chola art and architecture.
The Chola kings earlier built brick temples. Later they built
stone temples.
The first Chola ruler Vijayalaya Chola built temple at
Narthamalai. This is a stone temple. It is one of the finest
examples of the early Chola temple architecture.

 Balasubramaniya temple of Kannanur in Pudukottai region

and Thirukkatalai temple were built during the period of
Aditya-I.

 Nageswarar temple at Kumbakonam is famous for sculptural

work.

King Parantaka I built Koranganatha temple at

Srinivasanallur (Trichy District). Muvarkoil of Kodumbalur.
They are good examples of the later Chola architecture and
sculpture.

Besides all these temples of the Chola period, the greatest

landmark in the history of south Indian architecture is
Brhadeeswarar temple at Tanjore. This is also called as big
temple. It has many architectural significance. It was built by
Rajaraja I. This is the largest and tallest temple in Tamil
nadu.

 Rajendra Chola built a temple at GangaiKonda Cholapuram

which is also equally famous. King Rajendra Chola added
credit to the Chola art and architecture.

King Kulothunga I built a temple for Sun God at

Kumbakonam. This temple is first of its kind in the south
Indian architecture.

 Rajaraja II built Airavatheeswarar temple at Dharasuram.

Special features of Chola architecture

The Cholas followed the Pallava style of architecture.

Sanctum of the Chola temples are both circular and square
in size.

Inner side of the external walls and the sanctum were

beautified.
On the upper side of the sanctum special vimanas are built.

 Dome shaped sikhara and kalasa were also there on the top
of Gopurams.
Chola temples are noted for the sculptures and ornamental
works.
Gopurams of these temples were meaningful.
Many temples are having pillared mandapams namely
arthamandapa, mahamandapa and nandi mandpa. {MAN}
Sculptures and inscriptions are also fixed on the walls of
these temples.
Sculpture

Stone and metal sculptures are found in plenty in Chola

temples.
They depict the socio religious ideas of the Chola period
The Nataraja sculpture is world famous not only for its
beauty but also for its spiritual meaning.

 Vishnu idol is placed in Vaishnava temples.

A spiritual calmness is depicted in sculptural representations

of Alwars.

The Cholas made use of sculptures to decorate the walls,

pillars and roofs.

Realism dominated sculpture of the Chola period.

 Scenes from Ramayanam Mahabharatam, Puranas and

lives of the 63 Nayanmars are sculptured in narrative panels
on the walls of temples.

Portraits

The Cholas excelled the Pallavas in the art of portrait

making.
The best specimens of portraits are found on the walls of
Koranganatha temple and Nageswarasamy temple.

The portraits of Cholamadevi and Kulothunga-III are there in

Kalahasti temple. They are good examples of Chola art of
portrait making.

Paintings

The art of paintings flourished, Figures were painted with

realism.
The proficiency of the Chola painters are seen on their
paintings.
Paintings in Big temple are good examples.
Scenes of Periyapuranam are beautifully depicted
Kailasanathar temple at Kanchipuram, Vishnu temple at
Malaiyadipatti contain fine specimen of the Chola paintings.

Rajaraja-I and Rajendra contributed more for the

development of the art of painting during the Chola period.
Music

During the Chola period the art of music was developed.

Twenty three panns were used in music.
The seven music alphabets sa. ri, ga, ma, pa, da, ni were
used.
The hymns of Alwars and Nayanars were sung in every
temple.

 Nambiandar nambi and Nathamuni contributed much for the

development of music.
Several musicians were appointed in Brahadeeswarar
temple.
Drums, udukkai, veena, flute were famous music
instruments Sagadakkottigal formed a group of musicians.
Musicians were honored by the kings.
Temples and mutts imparted training in vocal and
instrumental music.

Dance:

The Chola kings patronized the art of dance.

Bharatha natyam and kathakali were two types of dances
performed during the Chola period.

 Lord Siva was represented as the exponent of Karana

dance.

Natarajar temple at Chidamparam and Sarangapani temple

at Kumbakonam have dancing poses of Lord Nataraja.
Rajaraja I appointed 400 dancing girls in the big temple at
Tanjore.
There were two dance directors to coordinate these dancing
girls.
Dance dramas were also performed on stages at festival
times.
Chola kings made endowments to promote the art of
dancing.
Drama

The Cholas promoted the art of drama.

Music and dance were affiliated to drama.
Many types of theatres and stages were there to perform
dramas.
Rajarajeswara natakam and Rajarajavijayam were the
dramas enacted during festival times.
Rajesh & Vijay (Common - Raja) are watching the drama

 Drama actors received honors from the Chola kings.

Koothu is one type of drama. Koothus were also there.
Inscriptions refer about Ariyakuthu, Chakki koothu and
Santhi koothu. {AC Santhi}

Chola literature speaks about the cultural glory of the

Cholas.
Hundreds of temples built by the Chola kings. Particularly
Brahadeeswarar (Big temple) temple at Tanjore and temple
at Gangaikonda Cholapuram are cultural monuments of the
Cholas.
The glorious Chola culture created very big impact on Tamil
society and imbibed lot of cultural values like bakthi upon the
Tamil society.