Page 265 - Eye of the beholder

Its square form is unusual and has no superstructure. It is constructed out of large rectangular blocks of stone, quarried from the site nearby being a hilly region. The dry construction employed in the temples is noticeable as the narrow crevices between the stones are clearly visible, indicating that no mortar was used in its construction. The capitals of the pillars resonate to Vijaynagar style with pushpa potika or the lotus buds, which formed an integral part of the capital design. The left side of the temple shows a shallow niche containing sculpture. While adjacent to it is an open space, where two men are represented. At the side of this structure is an arched opening, and the wall next to it is broken, indicating that there must have been a small mandapa in front here. However the larger rectangular opening in front, suggests that it was the main entrance.
The surrounding environment has the representation of the vegetation, which above and behind the temple constitutes of small trees and in what appears to be a cactus plant. The ground in front is broken and irregular, though it is possible to see vaguely a broken staircase leading up to the temple. On the right hand side in line with the temple, could be seen a vertical structure, perhaps the dhwaja stambha common to all temples, and a piece of sculpture standing next to it. The rest of the space towards extreme right hand corner is filled with sparse foliage. The ground next to the staircase opens to a large hollowed out ground, which could be the temple water tank, but in the scorching heat of April, the water has dried up. There is a road that leads up and has at its side a tree that is leaning forward, with a small boulder of stone next to it. This part of the composition is in shade as its tones are darker than the rest of the composition. The shaded brush work randomly rendered indicates stones on the ground, partially covered with mud.
Though it is a pencil and water colour painting, Thomas Daniell has brilliantly suggested the bright light of the summer sun pouring down on the rocky landscape. A simple yet a powerful composition, which delineates the saliency of its topography with verity, the artist has composed the scene in front with deft artistry, in which the visual emphasis is on the great outcrop of the hill, which to a British would have been fascinating coming across such a site.
The Kolar district in Karnataka is bounded by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and possesses numerous temples built by the various dynasties that ruled in this region. The dynasty of Gangas’ ruled here until the ninth century, when they were overthrown by the powerful Cholas around 1000 AD. The region later passed into the hands of the Hoysala and the Vijaynagar rulers, followed by the Deccan rulers of Bijapur and the Mysore Wodeyars. Hence, historically this was an important region, which witnessed the rule of many dynasties as well as the accompanying construction of temples in this region.
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