Art and Architecture of South India

South India boasts of a rich heritage and its temples are marvels of wonder. The southern architecture is known as the Dravidian style of architecture. One of the main features of the Dravidian style is the grandeur of the temples. The earliest art wasseen with the advent of the Pallavas and it reached its zenith during the Cholas. However minor dynasties also contributed to the art of the region. Noted among them are the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagaras. The Hoysalas favoured their structures on a raised platform and most of their temple bases were in the shape of a star. Halebid and Belur are fine examples of art. The entire temple has images/sculptures of Nayaka and Nayaki also called Dampathi figures. The surrounding areas of the temple are filled with intricate details of animal motifs and erotica, which was considered a natural phenomenon of life.

The Vijayanagara rulers also patronised art and the most important of them is Hampi. In Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra one can see the Ranganayaka and Hazara temple. One can also see the Seven pillars in Hampi popularly known as the Sapta Swara Pillars. They also contributed to the existing temples in the form of pillar art and Yazhi figures.

One has to visit the South in order to see the richness of her culture and admire the grand temples, some of which were mini cities in the days of yore.