Vinod Khare has this amazing post explaining the temple architecture at Khajuraho. It is a must read.
Linked by admin. Join Blogbharti facebook group.Indian temple architecture is broadly divided into two distinct styles – the Nagari or the north Indian and Dravida or the south Indian. The temples at Khajuraho, built by the Chandella rulers circa 1000 AD are at the pinnacle of the Nagari architectural style. The Nagari style has several distinct features, all of which are clearly manifested in the temples at Khajuraho.
i wonder who comes up with these funny ideas - dravida/nagari ?
as far as i know, every region/era has its own distinctive style..
Every one is not supposed to know everything. There are so many divisions and subdivisions if to comes to classifying or defining any particular art form. All ideas are not funny………………
karnail,
you’re right.
Hi,
I really don’t know what inspired that comment but I assume it was the fact that perhaps the division between Dravida and Nagari is merely a political one. Or even if it is not, is it prudent to prioritize this kind of distinction given the fact that it will aggravate the socio-political divisions between North and South India.
I had an extensive conversation with someone on this issue and we discussed how to deal with the matter.
One situation is where there really is no clear cut distinction. There may be a more or less uniform gradation from Nagari to Dravida thus rendering the classification misleading. In such situation the writing should emphasize this kind of inhomogeneity and make clear that these are just vague term used only for convenience.
Second situation is where such dichotomy really exists. In this situation it becomes crucial how one depicts such differences. For example, the fact that the garbhagraha is common to all Hindu temples is a unifying factor. Put side by side, they celebrate the unity in diversity which is characteristic of India and thus becomes politically a more correct formulation.
All this is difficult to do in writing. I’m glad that you got me thinking about it and I hope that it reflects in my future writing. For now, I’d just say that I’m quoting the ASI booklet on the temples. :D