Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v5.c35.552
Mānasāra Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Mānasāra-Śilpaśāstra; III. Mānasāra on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Mānasāra: Translation; V. Architecture of Mānasāra: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v5.c35.552
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v5.c35.552.1
The drawing itself: Pillars on the sides, an ornate swing/dola suspended by chains. Wait, look at the chains and the finial/base: In the provided image, the chains are hanging downwards from a frame at the top? No, wait! Look at the chains: they have beads/ornaments on them. Look at the structure at the bottom of the image: there is an architectural base with arches/egg-and-dart moulding. Wait, look at the pillars: the base is at the bottom, or is it at the top? Actually, the drawing is right side up! Wait, look at the text: "(ONIMS) VTOa" "K. S. Siddalinga Swamy" is upside down! Why is the text upside down relative to the drawing? Wait, look at the drawing carefully: Is the drawing upside down, or is the text upside down? Look at the object: At the top of the image: two small horizontal supports, a rectangular canopy/top frame with carvings, and chains hanging DOWN. At the bottom of the image: a bolster/cushion/seat with a lotus/finial in the middle? No, the seat of the swing is at the bottom! The base of the pavilion/platform is at the very bottom with decorative frieze (lotus petals / beads). Wait, look at the text: `DOLA` is upside down! `(SWING)` is upside down! Wait, why would DOLA (SWING) be placed at the top upside down? Ah! Often plates in Indian books are printed landscape or upside down, or it's a page rotated 180 degrees. Wait, look at the image: If you rotate 180 degrees: The text "DOLA (SWING)" is at the bottom! "K. S.
v5.c35.552.2
Siddalinga Swamy" is at the bottom right/left! Wait, if you rotate 180 degrees: Then the horizontal bar with lotus petals/frieze is at the TOP, like an entablature/beam! AND the chains hang DOWN from it? Wait! Look at the chains if rotated 180 degrees: In the current image: At the bottom: a scalloped cushion with a finial pointing UP. Wait, look at that finial in the middle: it's pointing up like a lamp or a vase/finial! Wait, look at the top of the current image: A rectangular box with an inverted finial pointing DOWN? Or is it an umbrella/canopy? A canopy (chatra / dola top) has hanging fringe or a pendant finial! Wait, what if the top is actually the seat of the swing?! Look at a swing (dola): A swing has a seat (plank/platform) suspended by four chains from a ceiling beam! Look at the "horizontal bar with frieze" in the current image (at the bottom): that's a BEAM or ceiling! Wait, look at the pillars: The pillars: look at the capitals and bases! In classical Indian / Vijayanagara / Mysore architecture: Look at the "cushion" shape: wait, is that a cushion or two brackets/makara torana? No, look at the rectangle currently near the top: It is a rectangular flat board, with four corner suspension points where four chains are attached! A swing board has four chains attached to its four corners! Wait! The four chains are attached to the rectangular board! And in the current orientation, the chains are hanging DOWN from the rectangular board to... a cushion?
v5.c35.552.3
You can't hang chains down to a cushion that rests on a beam! Wait, look at the four chains: They go from the rectangular board (which has chains attached at four points) down to the bottom where they attach to the corners of the... wait, where do they attach? Look at the bottom of the current image: the chains attach to the corners of the scalloped thing, which is attached to the beam? NO! If you flip it 180 degrees: The beam with the moulding is at the TOP (the ceiling/architrave of the mandapa/hall). From the beam, two brackets/corbels extend downwards, and four chains hang DOWN from the ceiling! And at the bottom hangs... THE SEAT OF THE SWING! The seat of the swing is the rectangular board with a decorative backrest/apron underneath it! YES! That's why the text is oriented that way! The page was scanned upside down! Let's verify: If rotated 180 degrees: - Top: Architrave/beam with bead-and-reel and leaf/lotus band. - From it, pillars go DOWN to the floor? No, pillars go down to support the beam! The pillars flank the swing. - From the ceiling/beam, chains hang DOWN to suspend the swing seat! - The swing seat is the decorated rectangular platform! - Below the swing seat is the carved apron with a pendant finial pointing DOWN! - Below that is the caption: "DOLA (SWING)" and in the corner: "K. S. Siddalinga Swamy"