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 ...
Household Articles (e): Umbrella (Chhatri)
Depiction of umbrella in sculptural art of this period is limited to few personals like gods and goddesses, royal persons and brahmanas (fig. 4). Even though an umbrella was of utilitarian nature, yet it seems that in course of its usage it has attained a symbolic position indicating the superior stature of the user. Umbrella in the sculptural art is shown in the form of a simple shaft made mostly of wood fixed into a semi-circular portion at the top, which was most likely made of palm-leaves or wooden planks. The shape of these umbrellas can be very well compared with similar ones still in usage among the tribals and traditional communities of this country.