The Colas c35.21

c35.21

Again the bracket or corbel develops an angular profile instead of the curved one of the late Pallava style, and is often bevelled so as to leave a triangular tenon-like projection, which, in turn, starts on a long line of varied and interesting evolution culminating in the *pūmunai* of modern times (see drawing 5 at the end of the chapter). The roll ornament with its median band is either shed, or at times varied with an involution or ‘throating’ at its bend. Both forms of the corbel, the plain bevel as well as the bevel with the *taranga* (roll), often appear together as inside the Agniśvara at Cittūr (Pudukkottah). Vestiges of the old order survive sometimes like the massive capital surmounted by a *kūḍu* in the Śiva temple at Uḍaiyārguḍi, the Mūvarkōvil of Koḍumbāḷūr and the Śiva temple at Puñjai—all of which will be referred to again in some detail. Besides the strictly architectural treatment of the exterior, a considerable amount of bold sculpture appears in prepared niches containing icons and *purāṇic* or human figures. String courses or friezes of *yāḷis* above the plinth, and of *bhūtaganas* in various humourous postures below, and *yāḷis* again above the upper cornices, which also carry *kūḍus* at intervals and scroll ornamentation (*koḍikkarukku*) are other notable features of the new style. The *kūḍus* have changed form, their shovel-tops giving place to a trefoil or to a lion-face (*simha-mukha*), arches giving place to circles in the centre containing no figure sculpture unlike the Pallava *kūḍus*.