The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.125

v1.c9.125

**Nationality:** The features are throughout Hindu of the Bengal type. There is nothing in any of the details, in the eyes, the nose, the cheek-bones, and the forehead,—those features where ethnic peculiarities are best indicated—to show a trace of aboriginal Tamilian characteristics; and this circumstance may be taken as a strong proof in favour of the Indo-Aryan origin of the works. Had the temples and their decorations proceeded from Dravidian artists, their character would have been entirely different. Even English painters of the present day, at least such as come to Calcutta, but too often give a European character to the native portraits they paint; and it is but natural to suppose that South Indian artists, had they been employed on the Orissan temples would have given them a strong Tamilian cast.