Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c7.92

v1.c7.92

Viewing broadly the conditions and characteristics of Hindu sculpture, it may well be said that there are four different schools representing four different regions of India. The first comprises what Mr. V. A. Smith calls the Mathura school. The second school is represented by the sculptures of the early Chālukyas of Bādāmi and also by those of the Pallavas of Kāñchi. All the three groups comprised within these two schools are marked by the same characteristics of simplicity and elegance combined with much natural realism. The South Indian sculptures of a later period corresponding to the re-established dominancy of the Chōḷas and Pāṇḍyas are but the continuations of the Pallava style, and may therefore be classed conveniently with it. The third school of Indian sculpture is the later Chālukya-Hoysaḷa school, which is distinguished from the other schools by its extremely florid style of ornamentation and delicate tracery in details (See Pl. C.). In this school convention naturally holds a dominant place; and we notice a striking similarity between figures representing the