Chola Sculptural Art in Sri Lanka (1017-1070A.D)

Abstract

Sri Lanka was under the Chola rule from 1017 A.D. to 1070 A.D. The impact of the Chola rule is manifested prominently in the sculptural art of the period in Sri Lanka, especially around the kingdom of Polonnaruwa. It is evident for the description of Sri Lankan chronicles and inscriptions that there was a considerable Tamil population in Sri Lanka even before the Chola conquest. There was rapid growth of Tamil population under the Chola power after the 1017 A.D. Under the Chola rule the South India?s religious, cultural and social systems highly affected the Sri Lankan society. To fulfill the religious requirements Raja Raja I and the Rajendra I built Saiva temples in Sri Lanka. In the constructions of the Saivite shrines besides the king himself, the traders also made lavish contributions to the establishment of Saiva temples. For an example Sankarappariyar (Oil trader), Vetrilai Vaniyar (betel trader) and Valakkai Vaniyar (banana trader) took part in this exercise. Several stone and bronze sculptures and adorned the temples. The sculptures reflect the Chola style. Most probably these statues were sculpted by the South Indian artists, who may have visited Sri Lanka during Chola?s expedition or they may have been imported from India. This study particular concentrates on the Chola bronze images of Nataraja, Parvathi, Ganga, Karthikeya, Vishnu, Balaji, Hanuman, Gnana Smabandar, Appar , Sundarar Murthi and Manichakavashagar.