The art and architecture of India - Buddhist, Hindu, Jain (Art Ebook)

322 THE HINDU RENAISSANCE
•
Thus it might be appropriate to close our
consideration of Dravidian architecture with a
more charming example of the style. This is the
Subrahmaniya temple which was erected in the
enclosure of the Rajrajesvara temple at Tanjore
as late as the eighteenth century [252]. Its plan
is very simple, consisting of a garbha griha preceded
by a completely enclosed mandapa. Its
effect is considerably more ornate than that of
the Great Temple which adjoins it. In comparison
with earlier works of Dravidian architecture
the style can be described as Rococo, since the
architectural impressiveness of the temple is
dependent not so much on the proportions of
the structure as a whole as on the animation of
the entire surface through very delicately carved
sculptural and architectural detail. A verypleasing
lightness is achieved through the
character of the sculptural decoration of the
tower and cornice and the attenuated engaged
columns that are affixed to the wall more as
decoration than as part of an organic architectural
scheme. The immense quantity of delicate
carving is part of that insatiable desire for richness
of effect which seems to have overwhelmed
Indian architects of this last period, the period
that has been well described as one of brilliant
decadence.
13. MYSORE
What is sometimes regarded as an intermediate
type of temple building related both to the
Indo-Aryan and Dravidian traditions is rep-
252. Tanjore, Subrahmaniya temple