113992242-Dravidian-Settlements-in-Ceylon-and-the-Beginnings-of-the-Kingdom-of-Jaffna-By-Karthigesu-Indrapala-Complete-Phd-Thesis-University-of-London-1965

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responsible for its erection. It is always possible for the
artisans of one country to learn the architecture of another
neighbouring country. It would be of interest, therefore, to
find, out whether Dravidian craftsmen were employed to execute
the Saiva and Vaiava monuments at Polonnaruva and elsewhere.
The opinio4 of archaeologists is divided on thia matter.
Godakumbure points out that the Sinhalese people were 'experts
in architecture, sculpture and painting' and claims that 'the
Cholas who brought the Sinhalese under subjection at the end
of the tenth century employed these Sinhalese craftsmen to
build temples for their gods, and make sculptures of thent'
On the other hand, Paranavitana's opinion is that the 'Sinhalese
sculptors and painters had no opportunity to practise their
arts, for their patrons - royalty, nobility and the Buddhist
Church - had ceased to exist under the Cho].a rule' If we turn
to see the monuments in the C1a style in the island, we find
that only the Aaiva-Vaiçava temples at Polonnaruva and Noragoa
and the Buddhist Rjarja-perum-p4i at Periyak4am, all of
which enjoyed the patronage of Tamils as revealed by their
inscriptions, fall under this category. No Sinhalese monument
1. C.E.Godakumbure, 'Bronzes from Polonnarnva, JR.A.S. (.B.),
N.S. , VII, pt.2, p. 2k).
2. S.Paranavitana, Art and Architecture in Ceylon - Polonnarua
Period, p. 22.