The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c14.s2.6

c14.s2.6

The shrine doorway, within, rivals the exterior one in point of finish (Plate LXX). Above it are figures of Brahmā, Śiva and Viṣṇu. Upon the cornice are groups of men and animals in procession, among which, in the middle, is a horseman with head and shoulders broken off, preceded by musicians. The action and contour of both horse and man are very good (Fig. 26). The Indian sculptor was never very happy in delineating the horse, and few good examples are to be found. The leg of the man, about all that is left of him, hangs freely and naturally in the stirrup, while the outline of the hind quarters of the horse is very pleasing. The group is not more than six inches high, and is cut in very bold relief, in fact it is almost detached from the cornice. Over this doorway, too, presides Gaja-Lakṣmī.