Goddess Saraswati without veena: Sculptures of Pallava, Chola era reveal an earlier iconography
The article discusses the evolution of Goddess Saraswati's iconography, highlighting early sculptures from the Pallava, Chola, and Pala eras that depict her without the veena, an instrument now considered her defining attribute. It details various attributes found in these earlier depictions, such as suvadi, akka mala, ankusha, pasha, kundigai, and tarjani mudra, and points out key temples (Gangaikondacholapuram, Brihadisvara, Kailasanathar, Airavatesvara, Koothanur) where these veena-less images are found. The article suggests that the veena became a standard attribute only in later periods, notably in Hoysala art and Ravi Varma's paintings, and mentions the influence of Pala art on Chola sculptors.
The article discusses the evolution of Goddess Saraswati's iconography, highlighting early sculptures from the Pallava, Chola, and Pala eras that depict her without the veena, an instrument now considered her defining attribute. It details various attributes found in these earlier depictions, such as suvadi, akka mala, ankusha, pasha, kundigai, and tarjani mudra, and points out key temples (Gangaikondacholapuram, Brihadisvara, Kailasanathar, Airavatesvara, Koothanur) where these veena-less images are found. The article suggests that the veena became a standard attribute only in later periods, notably in Hoysala art and Ravi Varma's paintings, and mentions the influence of Pala art on Chola sculptors.
Exam linkage
GS Paper 1 - Indian Heritage and Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Syllabus mapping
This topic appears in Mains
Questions on Art & Culture come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.