South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c8.24

c8.24

Angulas are sometimes classified into (1) *Mānāgulas* according to the above measure; (2) *Mātrangula* represented by the second digit of middle finger of the right hand of man; (3) *Deha labdhāngula* (Lit-‘angula as found in the body’) the measure as found in the *angula* or finger of the image-maker himself. The *mān-angula* is the absolute measure which is the ‘foot rule’ of the craftsman. The distinction of the three classes is however not quite clear. The *Mātrangula* evidently is not a fixed measure like inches but are only units for measurements of a particular figure and must be proportionate to the total height prescribed for a given figure. The *tāla* is deduced from the length of the face which is sub-divided into 12 *angulas* as will appear from the drawing made by a South Indian artist. (Figure 2.) The cranium is not included within the *tālam* which is taken from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin. The length of the face differs according to the various *tāla* or measures prescribed for particular deities generally constructed in the *nava tāla* or the *dasa tāla* measure. The *nava tāla* (ninth measure) is again classified into three groups—*Uttama-nava-tāla* (the best ninth measure), the *Madhyama-nava-tāla* (the medium); and the *Adhama-nava-tāla* (the lowest). Similarly the *dasa-tāla* is also divided into ‘Uttam,’ ‘Madhyam’ and ‘Adhama’ or as sometimes called ‘Kaniyasa’ (lowest).