Vijayanagara Sculptures at Hampi

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The Vijayanagara empire with its capital at Hampi in Karnataka was founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty around 1336 A.D. to preserve the Hindu Dharma, their prevailing culture, social order and check the onslaughts of Islam in South India. The Vijayanagara of Islam in South India. The Vijayanagara emperors and their feudatories were highly learned persons and they did their best to sustain political freedom, preservation and popularization of Sanatana Hindu Dharma, art, literature, architecture, painting etc. Due to their characteristic tolerance and the compromising attitude of rulers, sculptures of different schools of thought flourished within their empire.

The Vijayanagara sculptures of Hampi (1336 to 1565 A.D.) had different religious influences as reflected in the sculptural representations of the prevailing faiths-Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism. The present study on the ‘Vijayanagara Sculptures at Hampi’ is grouped into five chapters the introductory chapter deals with the sites and the environment covering Anegundi, Kamalpur, Kadirampura, Malapangudi, Ananthasayanagudi, Naganahalli, Hospet and Timmalapura. The second chapter is devoted to the historical perspective which shows that the foundation of the Vijayanagara empire in the14th century was an epoch-making event, not only in the history of Karnataka, but also of the whole of South India. It reveals that its founders were inspired by patriotic ideals embodied with the spirit of freedom and determination to sacrifice anything on that account. It covers from Harihara I (1336 A.D.) to Sadasivaraya (1570 A.D.). The third chapter reflects on the art traditions prior to Vijayanagara. The Chalukyas (c. 450-755 A.D.) were a great power in South India and the magnificent sculptures of Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal are due to their patronage. The sculptural art which flourished during the Vijayanagara period, as finds mention in the fourth chapter, was influenced by the literary works like the Vedas, Puranas, Epics and canons on iconography as codified in the Agamas. Chapters five, six and seven abundantly dwell on the Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jaina sculptures respectively. Minor divinities and devotees find description in the last two chapters of the book. The book is richly illustrated with plenty of sculptures of the various gods.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR K M Suresh

Dr. K.M. Suresh (B. 1952) presently working as Director (Museum) in the Kannada University, Hampi, Vidyaranya-583276, in Karnataka, obtained his Master's Degree from Karnataka University, Dharwar in 1974 and P.G. Diploma in Archaeology, from Institute of Achaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. In 1986. He obtained Ph.D., Degree from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, in 1992 on 'Sculptural Art of Hampi-Vijayanagara'. Since his inception in the Arachaeological Survey of India from 1976 to 1996, he served in various capacities in the Archaeological Museum at Bijapur, Hampi, Aihole and Badami in Karnataka and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. He has been active field worker and excavator in the Excavation Branch IV or Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubneswar in Orissa. Dr. Suresh's other works are Sculptural art of Hampi-Vijayanagara; Saivite Sculptures of Khajuraho; Iconography of Vishnu from Khajuraho; Kandariya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho; Karnataka Devalaya Kosha: Bellary District; Karnataka Devalaya Kosha: Koppal District; Hemakuta: Recent Researches in Archaeology and Museology (Shri C.T.M. Kotraiah's Felicitation Volume). Forthcoming works are Temples of Karnataka (Ground Plans and Elevation); Forts of Vijayanagara; Panchatantra; Facet Researched in Archaeology, (Dr. C.S. Patil's Commemoration Volume). He has contri-buted several research papers for leading Journals and Felicitation Volumes. He is member for many academic societies and a guide to Ph.D., scholars in the Kannada University, Hampi.

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Bibliographic information

Title
Vijayanagara Sculptures at Hampi
Author
Edition
1st ed.
Publisher
ISBN
9788180902802
Length
xxxii+227p., 367 Col. Plates; Index; 29cm.
Subjects