Comparative Study of the Dance Sculptures in Early and Later

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Emerging Trends in Social Science Research
(IS15Chennai Symposium) ISBN: 978-1-941505-23-6
Chennai-India, 3-5 April 2015 Paper ID: C544
Comparative Study of the Dance Sculptures in Early
and Later Chalukya Temples
Vidya Kumari Shimladka,
Research Scholar,
Jain University,
Bengaluru, India.
E-mail: nrithyaloka@gmail.com
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Abstract
A large part of Southern and Central India was ruled by two Chalukyan dynasties and they
are commonly known as Early and Later Chalukyas. Early Chalukyas, also known as Badami
Chalukyas, came to power during mid sixth century and reigned for nearly two centuries.
Later Chalukyas, also known as Kalyani Chalukyas, came to power in 10th century and ruled
till the end of 12th century. Both the Chalukyan dynasties have contributed immensely to the
development of art and architecture in India. This paper aims at examining the dance
sculptures of Early and Later Chalukyan temples in Deccan region. The study is important as
it can throw light on the two distinct phases in the evolution of Indian classical dance. The
research can bring out the details of sculptural patterns that are influenced by the Mārga and
Deśī traditions of dance. The Chalukyan temples were constructed in two periods, that is, one
period- before tenth century when the Mārga was the central tradition of dance and popular
all over India and the second period, that is after 10th century when the Deśī tradition was
popular. During the second period Deśī tradition was so strong that the treatises on dance
which came after 10th century found it imperative that they codified Deśī techniques along
with Bharata’s Mārga techniques. Interestingly the first text on the Deśī came during the
Later Chalukyan period. The monumental text Mānasollāsa which substantially describes the
Deśī tradition is attributed to Kalyani Chalukyan King Someshwara III. Dance sculptures in
temples bear a testimony for the art that was practiced during ancient and medieval period.
The dance sculptures in Early Chalukya temples of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakallu, Alampur
depict the Mārga tradition of dance whereas later Chalukya temples of Haveri, Lakkundi,
Dambal, Gadag, Laxmeshwara etc. reveal both Mārga and Deśī tradition of dance that was
popular in their society.
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