The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c19.42

c19.42

It would be a mere solecism to compare these Indian Siva shrines with Renaissance buildings like St. Paul's in London or St. Peter's in Rome. The Indian builder was too sincere in his religious feelings to try to amuse the eye with meaningless "effects" of line or form, or to exhibit for public applause his cleverness as a composer of "style." The temple was not an archæological essay, but a sermon in stone, suggesting in its symbolism the rhythm of the cosmos, teaching the lessons of the universal life, and recording the sacred traditions of the Indian people. There is, nevertheless, a closer æsthetic affinity between these South Indian temples and the Parthenon of Greece than in any of the buildings of the Renaissance of Europe.