Pallava period (Social and Cultural History)

by S. Krishnamurthy | 2017 | 143,765 words

This study examines the Social and Cultural History of the Pallava period (as gleaned through the Sculptural Art). The Pallavas (6th-9th century A.D.) mainly ruled over the Tondaimandalam (Tondai Nadu) region in the Northern part of Tamil Nadu (South-India). The Pallava dynasty ensured a golden age of architecture, arts, and spirituality and while ...

Preface

The study of sculptures forms a fascinating field, as it reveals to the researcher a graphical picture of the life of the people of those times, when the creator of these artistic wonders actually lived and witnessed the life around him. Thus, these sculptures provide a link to the past, as it reflects the life of the people of bygone ages and give a visual corroboration to the historical data obtained through the study of literature and inscriptions.

The present thesis entitled “Social and Cultural History of the Pallava period as gleaned through the Sculptural Art (from Selective temples)”, is the outcome of minute observation of the various sculptures executed during the Pallava period (circa 6th century A.D. to 9th century A.D.), so as to understand the nature of the society, kind of belief system and the extent to which material culture had advanced in those times. The study has been made through in situ observation and documentation of the various sculptures available in selective temples spread over different parts of the study region, over which, the Pallavas had ruled. Apart from the in situ sculptures, several loose sculptures under the custody of museums have also been studied. Wherever feasible, data culled out from literature and inscriptions is also used as a corroborative tool, for obtaining factual information from the sculptures, without which, it would have been difficult to understand. The existence of various occupational groups in Pallava period, status of women, is understood through such a corroborative study. Apart from this prevalence of various religious beliefs and customs is also better analyzed from the extant sculptural evidence.

Society in any period witnesses the development of unique material culture and it is one of the outcomes of a vibrant society. The study of sculptures of this period led to unravel a variety of costumes and ornaments with which, the people loved to bedeck themselves. Apart from this, we also come across a variety of musical instruments, household articles and weapons, which were in usage in those times. A glimpse into the pastime activities, with which, the people engaged in their leisure time like music, dance, drama, martial arts and hunting, is also known. Few sculptures also gave insight into the kind of warfare employed by the Pallava army.

A study of the various previous researches in connection with the history of Pallava period, show that majority deal with either political or administrative aspects and even those dealing with monuments and sculpture are mostly descriptive in the form of elaborating their architectural and iconographical features, without any attempt of interpreting them for obtaining social and cultural aspects. Only a few articles or chapters of this nature can be found and no exhaustive and exclusive study has been made to understand the social and cultural history through sculptures. So this thesis is an attempt to fill this particular lacuna in the Pallava studies.

At the outset, I would like to thank profusely, Dr. K. Munirathnam, Director (Epigraphy) I/c, Archaeological Survey of India, who took personal interest by encouraging me in my research work and permitted me to use the books available in office library for reference purpose. I would also like to thank Dr. T. S. Ravishankar, Director (Epigraphy) I/c (Retd.), for his kind permission to continue my Ph. D. research work as a part-time research scholar.

I am extremely thankful to my Ph. D. research supervisor Dr. P. D. Balaji, Professor and HOD, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, Chennai, for his inspiring words and invaluable suggestions, which proved useful in successful completion of my thesis. I would also like to thank him and other faculty members of this department like Dr. A. Ekambranathan, Prof & HOD (Retd.), Sri M. Seran, Technical Officer, Spl. Grade (Retd.), Dr. J. Soundararajan, Asst. Prof. for igniting passion in me towards archaeology and historical studies, when I was first introduced into this field, during my Master’s degree during the academic year 2005–07. I would also like to thank Dr. C. K. Sivaprakasham, for his encouraging words. My sincere thanks to Dr. A. Karunakaran, Asst. Technical Officer (Spl. Grade), for lending me books useful for my research purpose from department library and Sri M. Mani, Section Officer, who took personal interest and timely informed me the various official communications. I would also like to thank Sri N. Ranganathan, Asst. Technical Officer (Spl. Grade) for his precise line drawings.

I owe my special thanks to the Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai circle, Temple Survey Project (South Zone) for granting permission to take photographs of the temples and its sculptures in their protected monuments. I also like to thank the officials, priests and caretakers of various temples, who cooperated during my site visits to the respective temples and permitted me take photographs for study purpose. My gratitude to the Director, Government Museum, Chennai and National Museum, New Delhi for having permitted me to take photographs of the sculptures of Pallava period preserved in their respective museums.

Words are not sufficient to thank my parents for their ever supporting and encouraging stance at each and every stage of my life. I am extremely thankful to my better-half Mrs. K. Anushya for her constant support and encouragement. I am obliged to all my seniors and colleagues in office, who encouraged me and made several worthy suggestions during the course of my research work. Special thanks to my colleagues, Sri G. Srinivasa Rao, Senior Photographer (Grade I) and Sri G. Vasant Kumar, Photographer (Grade II) who offered their utmost help in arranging the photographs and made them press-ready.

Last, but not least I would like to express my gratitude to all my friends and well-wishers. My thanks are due to Vijay Xerox, Chepauk, Chennai, for their systematic handling of the thesis and getting it ready for timely submission.

S. KRISHNAMURTHY

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