Decorative Arts of South Indian Temples

The book embodies discussions on the aspects of creative zeal and freedom that the artisans enjoyed while raising magnificient structures and producing fine sculpture in the Andhra – Kalinga region. The state of library that these artists enjoyed is seen on the delineation of certain motifs used to decorate the architectural members of the temples located in the North-coastal Andhra in particular and South India in general. In the light of the fact that most of the books deal only on temple architecture of the North-coastal Andhra, the current work shifts its focus on the decorative element, and aspect hitherto neglected by the scholars. The study encapsules the various elements of figure sculpture and geometrical designs including depiction of Flora and Fauna as found carved on a few temples located at Mukhalingam, Simhachalam and Srikurmam built during the period between the 9th and 13th centuries A.D. Special emphasis was laid on studying the Indian decorative sculptures, birds and animals, architectural designs friezes and scrolls. These sculptures were created simultaneously along with the cult images, divine sculptures and mythological scenes. At the end the book furnishes a very interesting account on the terminology used in the text, along with illustrations, which facilitates the young researches to pursue their endeavours.