Artistic style of the Pallavas

 The vital artistic style of the Pallava period passed into history in a process of absorption that censured the continuity of Tamil cultural tradition. The Pallava contribution in the f ield of architecture and sculpture was prolific and far-flung from Thirukalukundram in the north to Trichirappalli in the South. It was a contribution made with rock as the basic raw materials, as the transformation of the rocks of Mahabalipuram testify. Where rock stood, figures were carved, sometimes single sometimes in groups. Structures in the shape of mandapas were created out of boulders and rathas with all their ornamentation took shape as sculptured monolithic. The artist's task was one of cutting, scooping, carving, grinding and polishing, aided by a geometric conception of form and features and the vision of the beautiful which is rare to come by anywhere else in the world. The Pallava artisans were indeed the masters of the art of stone.

Huge stone slabs cut out of rocks and boulders are still a great part of South Indian temple architecture, to the evolution of which Pallava artisans have made a significant contribution. It is their chariot like structures without wheels, which find an echo in the Deccan temples. The seven rathas of Mahabalipuram have pillars, roofs, tapering tops and spire like endings besides square of rectangular bases marking them as the forerunners of the latter day temples. In the storied upper portion of the rathas, architects have noted the beginnings of the gopurams in pyramidal towers characteristic of South Indian temples. The rathas were among the many interesting monuments brought to light in the re-discovery of Mahabalipuram at the beginning of 19th century.

Besides the rathas the sculptured beauty is to be found in Mahabalipuram in its pillared mandapams and wall panels. Mandapams are cave like structure scooped from rocks. The panels on the rock surface inside the mandapam and outside are art galleries in miniature. The biggest of the bas relief is carved on a huge rock canvas out in the open and is legendary event of great significance commonly believed to be Arjuna's penance. The Gangadhara panel shows Lord Siva holding back river Ganga in his locks while the river hurtles down from the heavens to the earth. In the Somaskanda panel Lord Siva is seen what his consort Uma and son Skanda. The reposing Vishnu stretched on the coils of the snake Adisesha Lakshmi on her lotus seat served buy Elephants, and an armed Durga sallying forth to fight Mahishasura are other re-creations of mythology in which the Mahabalipuram artisans revealed.

Art drew its inspiration from mythology because religion dominated the Hindu life them as it does now. The best in Hindu art and letters are those that describe divine beings and depict their deeds. Literature was a vehicle for the out pouring of piety. Songs were hymns in praise of Gods and Goddess, dance a dedication to the divine and sculpture and temples were a revelation of the highlights of mythology. The themes of Hindu temples and sculpture were almost always taken from the religious texts, legends and traditions.