QUE : The contribution of the Pallavas to art and literature is one of the most fascinating aspects of Indian cultural heritage. – Evaluate.

The glory of the Pallavas in the contribution of art and architecture is significant. The Pallavas were the pioneers of South Indian art and architecture. The construction of stone architecture in Tamil was started by the Pallavas. This architecture is still alive today as granite was used to build temples and carve sculptures. Pallava architecture developed in phases from the period of Mahendravarman-1.

•  Contribution of the Pallavas in various fields of art
  

•  Temples made of stone: These temples, known as the Mahendravarman style, were built by carving stones. These temples, which were built by carving rocks without using any other construction material, were a new experiment in the field of art.
  
•  The sanctum sanctorum and its beautiful sculptures, carved on the pillars in a way that the lion’s head is the specialty of rock cut temples. Pre-Mahendravarman temples of this type are found in Tamil Nadu, of which Pallavaram, Mamandur, Mahendravardi, Vallam and Thalavanur are the most important.
  
•  Ekasma Rath Temple and Sculpture Pavilion: Ekasma Rath Temple and Sculpture Pavilion represent the Mamalla style of architecture. The Pallava king Narasimhavarman was famous before as ‘Mamalla’, who transformed the port of Mamallapur into a beautiful city of art and architecture.
  
•  The Ekasma Rath of Mamallapur is known as the Pancha Pandava Rath. The name of the chariot is Ekasma Rath as it is carved from a single rock.
  
•  This chariot temple has five different forms of architecture: Dharmaraja Rath, Bhima Rath, Arjuna Rath, Nakul-Sahadeva Rath, Draupadi Rath.

•  The Mamallapuram pavilion and hall carved from a single stone, as well as sculptures depicting stories from the Puranas, sculptures of Mahishasura Mardini, etc., are seen on the walls.
  
•  The open art gallery in the Mamalla style is of special importance. Many sculptures are beautifully carved on a large stone wall.
  
•  Subjects like the descent of Ganga from the head of Lord Shiva or the penance of Arjuna are notable. Deer, monkey, cat, rat and other animals are beautifully carved on the huge rock.
  
•  Structural temples: The construction of structural temples started from the reign of Raja Singh. These structures made using granite slabs are known as structural temples. Pallava style structural temples can be classified into Rajasimha style and Nandivarman style.
  
•  The Kailasanath temple of Kanchipuram and the Shore temple of Mamallapuram, built using sandstone, are famous. Kailasanath temple has beautiful sculptures and vimanas and is also called Rajasimhaeswaram.
  
•  The Vaikuntha Perumal temple of Kanchipuram built by Nandivarman II and other Pallava rulers built at Kanchipuram, Panamalai, Kuram, Tiranth are found at places.
  
•  Yazhi, Mridangam and Murasu were musical instruments of the Pallava period. Kudumiyamlai and Chiramiyam musical inscriptions show the interest of the Pallavas in music. Both were musical experts before Mahendravarman and before Narasimhavarman. The temple sculptures of the Pallava period introduce the dance art of that time.
  
•  The paintings of Sittanavasal, Matvilasa Prahsana Natak etc. show that music and drama, dance art were popular during the Pallava rule.
  
• Contribution of the Pallavas in the field of literature

• The author of Kiratarjuniyam Bharvi Singh lived in the court of Vishnu.

•  “Matvilasa Prahsana” was composed by Mahendravarman.
  
•  Dandi, the author of ‘Dasakumarcharita’, lived in the court of Narasimhavarman-II.
  
•  The famous Vaishnava saint Thirumangai Alvar was a contemporary of Nandivarman-II.
  
•  The famous Tamil poet Saint Perudevnar lived in the royal court of Nandivarman III, who composed the book ‘Bharatvenava’.

                           Thus, the Pallavas have added a new chapter to the glory of Indian cultural heritage by making significant contributions in the field of architecture through stone-built monolith temples and pavilions, and in the field of literature through the patronage of poets like Alwar, Perundevnar, and Bharvi.