A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c13.s5.t1.52

c13.s5.t1.52

The best examples of the Vijayanagar style are to be found, perhaps, not at the capital, but at Tārpatri (Tāḍpatri), Anantapur District, Madras, in *gopuras* (gateways) erected during the sixteenth century by a prince subordinate to the kings of Vijayanagar. Fergusson, who devoted two full-page plates to the illustration of the Tārpatri greenstone sculptures, judged them to be ‘on the whole, perhaps, in better taste than anything else in this style’. One specimen may be offered (Fig. 166).¹ The old motive of the woman standing under the tree is treated in a novel manner with great skill. A new temple at Tārpatri is adorned with elaboration equal to that of the old one; but, although the decorative carving is good, the figure sculpture is grotesque and contemptible. The work has been fully illustrated by Mr. Rea in his book, *Stone Carving and Inlaying in Southern India.*