The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c7.35

c7.35

Figure sculpture which, in very early temples, is very naturalistic and free from restraint in its poses, is found, in the later Chālukyan work, crystallized into stiff conventional forms, which are repeated over and over again. Each principal deity has its own stereotyped pose according to the particular incarnation or form depicted; and, beyond an occasional exaggerated representation of action, they are very lifeless indeed. Like all Indian sculpture, human figures are deficient in muscles and drapery. In these later forms the legs, from the knees downward, are veritable drumsticks. But in this respect the sculptors followed their models, for the average Indian is not remarkable for muscular development. Still they were so fond of displaying the figure that they reduced the drapery so much that in many of their images it is difficult to find it, a line or two being sufficient to indicate its presence.