A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.84

c21.84

The vimāna has the same construction as in Tanjore but the number of tiers making up the pyramidal body is only eight as against thirteen in Tanjore. The most important difference lies in the introduction of curves in the place of the strong straight lines of the Tanjore vimāna. The pyramidal body is slightly concave in its outline at its angles while the sides are curved to produce a somewhat convex outline. These curves enrich the beauty of form of the vimāna though they detract from its stateliness and power. Of the two vimānas considered together Brown observes: 'Each is the final and absolute vision of its creator made manifest through the medium of structural form, the one symbolizing conscious might, the other sub-conscious grace, but both dictated by that divinity which has seized the soul".'