Later Mural Traditions
Class 11 · Fine Art
4 ideas in Class 11 Fine Art, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Chalukya and Pallava Murals: Badami, Panamalai, and Kanchi
Following Ajanta, the 6th-8th century mural traditions flourished under the Chalukyas at Badami Cave No. 4 and the Pallavas at Panamalai and Kanchipuram, capturing royal courts and sacred deities.
Why it matters. Understanding Chalukya and Pallava paintings reveals how classical Ajanta fluid lines and facial modeling extended southward into regional dynastic courts.
Formulas
- Chalukya Dynasty Rule = 543 CE to 598 CE (55 Years)
- Badami Cave 4 Date = 578-579 CE (35 Years into Dynasty Reign)
Key words
- Chitrakarapuli
- : Honorary title meaning 'tiger among artists', assumed by Pallava King Mahendravarman I.
- Vichitrachitta
- : A royal title meaning 'curious-minded' inscribed at Mandagapattu.
- Chaityakari
- : Title meaning 'temple builder', celebrating royal architectural patronage.
- Somaskanda
- : Iconographic representation of Shiva seated with consort Uma and infant Skanda.
Try it in two minutes
- Locate Badami Cave No. 4 (Vishnu Cave) dated 578-579 CE under patron Mangalesha.
- Observe the palace scene with Kirtivarman watching dancers alongside Indra's retinue.
- Study King Mahendravarman I's titles: Vichitrachitta, Chitrakarapuli, and Chaityakari.
- Examine the graceful Devi figure at Panamalai and Somaskanda panels at Kanchipuram.
Try at home. Draw an outline sketch of a crowned royal figure using flowing curvilinear contours and large half-closed eyes.
Pandya and Chola Murals: Sittanvasal and Brihadeswara
During the 9th to 11th centuries, mural painting reached sublime aesthetic zeniths under the Pandyas at Sittanvasal and the Cholas inside the Brihadeswara temple at Thanjavur.
Why it matters. Analyzing Sittanvasal and Brihadeswara murals illuminates classical South Indian dance iconography, devotional Shaivite painting cycles, and advanced conservation techniques.
Formulas
- Brihadeswara Murals Discovery = 11th Century Chola Layer beneath 16th Century Nayaka Layer
- Time Gap Between Layers = 16th Century - 11th Century = 5 Centuries
Key words
- Brihadeswara Temple
- : Monumental Chola temple in Thanjavur constructed under Emperor Rajaraja Chola I.
- Tripurantaka
- : Manifestation of Shiva as the destroyer of the three mythical demonic cities.
- Sittanvasal
- : Historic 9th-century Jaina rock-cut cave site in Tamil Nadu renowned for vibrant murals.
- Karuvar Devar
- : The revered spiritual guru and preceptor of Emperor Rajaraja Chola I depicted in murals.
Try it in two minutes
- Explore Sittanvasal's 9th-century Jaina cave ceiling and veranda pillar paintings.
- Observe dancing nymphs rendered with firm vermilion red outlines and yellow wash.
- Identify the 11th-century Chola murals along the ambulatory corridor of Brihadeswara temple.
- Note the cleaning of the 16th-century Nayaka overlayer which revealed original Chola frescoes.
Try at home. Trace the dynamic silhouette of a classical dancing apsara with bent knee and extended swaying arms.
Vijayanagara and Nayaka Murals: Lepakshi and Hampi
Between the 14th and 18th centuries, Vijayanagara and Nayaka painters created dynamic, narrative mural cycles at Hampi, Lepakshi, Srirangam, and Chengam with distinct stylized conventions.
Why it matters. Understanding Vijayanagara and Nayaka art demonstrates how painters organized dynamic narrative stories into rectilinear registers with flat planes and sharp profile portraits.
Formulas
- Chengam Ramayana Cycle = 60 Total Narrative Painted Panels
- Vijayanagara Visual Schema = Profile Faces + Frontal Eyes + Rectilinear Compartments
Key words
- Lepakshi
- : Historic site in Andhra Pradesh famed for Veerabhadra temple murals and carvings.
- Vidyaranya
- : Spiritual mentor of Bukkaraya Harsha, depicted in a grand palanquin procession.
- Virupaksha Temple
- : Principal Shaivite temple at Hampi featuring magnificent mandapa ceiling murals.
- Chengam Panels
- : A cycle of 60 painted panels illustrating the Ramayana in Sri Krishna temple, Arcot.
Try it in two minutes
- Trace early Vijayanagara painting at Tiruparakunram (14th c.) and Hampi's Virupaksha temple.
- Observe the Virupaksha ceiling panel showing sage Vidyaranya carried in a palanquin.
- Study Veerabhadra temple murals at Lepakshi featuring Dakshinamurti and Parvati attendants.
- Examine late Nayaka Ramayana cycles at Chengam (60 panels) and Muchukunda story at Tiruvarur.
Try at home. Draw a narrative comic panel in rectilinear compartments showing characters with sharp profiles and large forward-facing eyes.
Kerala Murals and Traditional Indigenous Wall Art
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Kerala developed a vibrant mural school inspired by Kathakali and kalam ezhuthu, alongside ubiquitous domestic folk wall arts like Warli and Mithila.
Why it matters. Studying Kerala murals and indigenous folk art reveals how classical temple traditions and vibrant living domestic wall arts celebrate cultural identity across India.
Formulas
- Kerala Mural Sites = Over 60 Documented Sites (Including 3 Royal Palaces)
- Folk Mural Distribution = Mithila (Bihar) + Warli (Maharashtra) + Pithoro (Rajasthan/Gujarat)
Key words
- Kalam Ezhuthu
- : Traditional ritual floor painting of Kerala executed with organic natural powders.
- Dutch Palace
- : Historic palace in Mattancheri, Kochi, housing extensive epic mural paintings.
- Warli Painting
- : Indigenous tribal folk wall art from Maharashtra using simple white geometric motifs.
- Mithila Painting
- : Traditional domestic wall painting practiced by women in the Mithila region of Bihar.
Try it in two minutes
- Identify influences on Kerala murals: Kathakali theatre and kalam ezhuthu ritual floor art.
- Locate royal palace mural sites: Dutch Palace (Kochi), Krishnapuram, and Padmanabhapuram.
- Note temple mural sites: Pundareekapuram Krishna temple, Triprayar, and Thrissur.
- Observe living folk murals created by women: Warli, Mithila, and Pithoro.
Try at home. Create a Warli-inspired geometric painting using white pigment on an earthy reddish-brown background.
What your child will practise
- Chalukya and Pallava Murals: Badami, Panamalai, and Kanchi: Space Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Kerala Murals and Traditional Indigenous Wall Art: Ocean Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Kerala Murals and Traditional Indigenous Wall Art: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Pandya and Chola Murals: Sittanvasal and Brihadeswara: Jungle Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Vijayanagara and Nayaka Murals: Lepakshi and Hampi: Candy Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Quiz: Chalukya and Pallava Murals: Badami, Panamalai, and Kanchi (8 questions)
- Quiz: Kerala Murals and Traditional Indigenous Wall Art (8 questions)
- Quiz: Pandya and Chola Murals: Sittanvasal and Brihadeswara (8 questions)
- Quiz: Vijayanagara and Nayaka Murals: Lepakshi and Hampi (8 questions)