South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c7.43

c7.43

Many of these lamps were artistically conceived in the form of a female figure holding the burner, the donor of the gift being suggested by the figure. These were known so far back as the first century of the Christian era as will appear from a reference to them by V. Kanakasabhai Pillai in his ‘Tamil 1800 years ago’ (Madras, 1904). “Lamps in the shape of a female statue in a standing posture, holding with both hands the receptacle for oil and wick, appear to have been in common use in the Tamil country” (page 38).⁴ In celebrating the yearly festival in honour of Indra the Chola King Killi-valvan is reported to have announced with the beat of the drums his directions : “Arrange in front of your houses lamps borne by statues.” These are now known as the Dipa-Lakshmis or ‘beauty lamps’ and they have inspired the South Indian bronze-workers to produce some of the finest pieces of sculpture of the period. (Vide plates XXXVI & XXXVII.) The practice of presenting lamps to the temples was also current in ancient Greece. After the sack of Thebes, Alexander consecrated to Apollo at Cyme a hanging lamp which Pliny describes.⁵