Crowns for Men (a): Kirita-makuta

[Full title: Head-dress of Men during the Pallava period: Crowns (a): Kirita-makuta]

Kirita-makuta of this period can be seen in different shapes with varied ornamental decorations on it. For example in the Varaha-mandapa at Mamallapuram, Varaha (fig. 124 and 462) is shown wearing a conical type of kirita having molded designs of creepers and flowers. In contrast the head-gear of Trivikrama (fig. 463) is cylindrical and appears to be incomplete in finish with a circular plain medallion in the centre. The exact ornamentation on it can be assumed from similar, but finished kirita-makuta adorning the heads of Vishnu and Vidhyadharas in the Trimurti cave temple at Mamallapuram and also from an image of Arjuna (fig. 125) depicted in the Kiratarjuniyam panel, on the walls of one of the angalaya in the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. From these it can be understood that the medallion consists of a pair of concentric designs in the middle bordered by a beaded outer-ring and from their top emerge three to seven finials. Similar decor on the two sides of the makuta can also be seen in the case of the Vishnu image now kept in the Government museum at Chennai^[1] (fig. 126). In the image of Arjuna additionally beneath the circular medallion, a thin band inlaid with a square jewel in the middle, flanked by makara motifs can be seen.

Additionally siraschakra can also be noticed at the back of his head. An insight into the excellent craftsmanship of kirita-makuta in this period having various flourishes formed of tassels, beads, medallions and motifs formed of kirtimukha and makara can be had from an image of Vishnu now kept in the Govt. Musuem, Chennai^[2], two more images of the same deity^[3] in the National museum, New Delhi (fig. 127) and another image seen in the niche of Jalanathesvara temple at Thakkolam (fig.128).

An altogether different kind of kirita-makuta can be seen adorning the portrait sculptures of Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman in the Adivaraha cave temple at Mamallapuram (fig. 13). Here both are seen wearing a short cylindrical kirita with a conical top. No other embellishments can be noticed on them. Similarly in the figure of Narasimhavarman I, adorning the niche of the Arjuna ratha the makuta is also cylindrical, but a little longer and the only ornamentation on it is in the form of two rows of beaded designs along its rim. It is very difficult to say whether such plain kiritas are left unfinished or they represent a type. A glimpse into the grandeur of the crown worn by the kings can be known by a minute observation of the many depictions in the historical panels at the Vaikunthaperuamal temple in Kanchipuram (fig. 129). It is in the form of an elongated conical kirita with a convex circular base. Both the circular base and the conical part is bejeweled with many flourishes in the form of floral decorations and tassels. It is probable that these decorations are either molded or embossed into the framework of the crown or inlaid using beads, pearls or intricately designed pieces of precious stones and metal. The designs involving floral, kirtimukha and makara motifs often resemble the one seen especially on the kirita-makuta of Vishnu. Such a resemblance may not be a coincidence and it may actually reflect the prevailing belief of divine origin of kingship.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Acc. no: 2607. Findspot: Unknown.

[2]:

Acc. No. 2608, Findspot: Satyamangalam, South Arcot district.

[3]:

Of the two images, one is from the village Perangur (Villlupuram district), Acc. no. 61.1157 and the findspot of the other image having Acc. no. 59.153/159 is not known.