Sculptural Art of Hoysala Dynasty from Belur Chennakeshava temple, Karnataka, India. Few selected women sculptures with its description is given here. Follow my instagram handle https://www.instagram.com/sadhishphotography/

1. SCULPTURAL ART OF BELUR
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE SERIES
SADHISH SHARMA
B.Tech Temple Architecture
M.A. Archaeology

2. • A temple dedicated to Vishnu built by Hoysala dynasty in 12th century C.E.
• Located at Belur, Hassan District, Karnataka.
• Saivite, Vaisnavite, Jaina and Buddhist sculptures under the same roof.
• Famous for the finely carved pillars, Bracket figures, Navaranga mandapa and series of sculptures
on the outer walls.
• Mahabharata and Ramayana stories are depicted in sculptural form in the outer walls.
• The bracket figures are found with the artisan’s name and place.
• Architectural and Sculptural marvel of the Hoysala period and holds a unique place in Indian Art.
BELUR CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE

3. • Madanika or Shilabalika is depicted as talking to a pet parrot.
• In Kannada Shuka – parrot, bashini – lady in conversation.
• The Madanika is holding the parrot in the chest level on her
left hand standing in a tribangha posture.
• Three attendees are depicted below watching her with parrot.
• The ornamentation and the jewelry along with the prabha on
the backside are intricate and beautiful.
Shuka Bashini. शुकभाशशनी।
© ssphotography

4. © ssphotography
© ssphotography
© ssphotography
© ssphotography
Shuka Bashini. शुकभाशशनी।

5. ➢ Madanika shown in dancing pose at a graceful stance.
➢ The left hand is half broken.
➢ She is shown with four musicians at the bottom.
➢ Two of them are playing drum at the left bottom.
➢ On the right bottom, one is playing tāla and other with
flute.
➢ The dressing and jewelry are intricately carved.
➢ This is adorned above the pillar on left side of the main
entrance.
➢ The name of the sculptor is mentioned below the figure in
Kannada script.
Natya sundari. नाट्य सुुंदरी

6. Natya sundari. नाट्य सुुंदरी

7. Darpana sundari. दर्पण सुुंदरी।
❖ It is also known as the lady with mirror.
❖ In Kannada, Darpana – mirror, Sundari – beautiful
lady.
❖ A lady enjoying her own beauty by looking into a
mirror.
❖ She is assisted with three small women below.
❖ It is believed that the main inspiration of this sculpture
was the magnificent beauty of Shantala Devi, the
Queen of King Vishnuvardhana, the builder of this
temple.
❖ It is a bracket figure mounted on a pillar at the main
entrance.

8. Darpana sundari. दर्पण सुुंदरी।
Three attendees at the bottom
© ssphotography
© ssphotography

9. Tribhangi. त्रिभुंगी ।
▪ Madanika or Sundari in tribhanga dancing pose.
▪ Tri – three, bhanga – bend. Tribangha is a complicated dance
pose as per the Natyasastra and Silpasastra.
▪ The knee, waist and neck are the three parts of body bent to
give a S-like pose.
▪ This sculpture is finely carved by the sculptor showcasing the
tribhanga pose with a damaru on the hands.
▪ This is adorned in one of the pillars of the Navaranga.

10. © ssphotography
© ssphotographyTribhangi. त्रिभुंगी ।

11. Natya Sundari playing drum
• This Madanika is shown in Narthaki (dancer) pose
with a classical dancing stance.
• It is shown playing a drum with a stick.
• Two musicians accompanying her each playing a dolu.
• The drapery and jewelry are intricate and beautiful.
• The name of the sculptor is engraved on the bottom in
Kannada script.
• This Madanika is mounted on the middle pillar of the
south-side exterior wall

12. © ssphotography © ssphotography

13. ➢ Sundari is depicted as a huntress holding a bow and aiming
at a prey.
➢ She is supported with an assistant holding arrows in one
hand and a deer in another.
➢ The ornaments and the floral designs at the background are
finely carved.
➢ Two tiny pigeons are carved near the bow on the left top.
➢ The name of the sculptor is carved below in Kannada script.
Huntress. शशकाररका।

14. Huntress. शशकाररका।
© ssphotography
© ssphotography

15. Kesha sundari. के श सुुंदरी।
• Kesha- hair, sundari – beautiful lady, in Kannada.
• This Madanika is shown holding her long hair while
her two attendees assist to style it.
• This Sundari is also known as Kabari nishodhini -
कबरी निशोनििी।
• The background has a finely carved creeper.
• The name of the sculptor is carved in Kannada script
at the bottom.

16. © ssphotography
© ssphotography
Kesha sundari. के श सुुंदरी।

17. Shalabhanjika. शालभुंजिका
• This sculpture shows the depiction of a Shalabhanjika
or Kapi Chaste trying to chase the monkey from its
mischief with a small branch on hand.
• It is sculpted semi-nude with an annoying expression
on the face.
• The ornaments are beautifully carved.
• The legs are shown webbed to hide her nudity.
• The name of the sculptor is mentioned below in
Kannada script.

18. © ssphotography
© ssphotography

19. Natya sundari. नाट्य सुन्दरी।
• A Madanika is depicted in dancing pose with two
musicians at the bottom.
• One leg is half-bent and the other one is lifted up,
• The fine element of this panel is the lizard chasing a
fly on the background.
• The dressing and jewelery are intricately carved.
• It is adorned in one of the pillar bracket of navaranga.

20. Natya sundari. नाट्य सुन्दरी।
© ssphotography
© ssphotography

21. Betegārthi. Huntress. शशकररका।
➢ This sundari is depicted as a huntress holding a bow on
her left hand and a bow on right hand (only a small piece
exists).
➢ She is depicted with an expression of a successful hunt.
➢ Lady on the right bottom is carrying a deer (hunt).
➢ Lady on the left bottom is carrying a bow and getting
assistance from a male to pluck out the thorn from her
feet.
➢ The ornaments and the floral designs at the background
are finely carved.

22. Betegārthi. Huntress. शशकररका।

23. THANK YOU
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