The impact of paintings on dance

by Subashini Pathmanathan

Apart from sculpture and inscriptions, paintings which adorned the walls of the dance halls, royal palaces and the temple courtyards convey information on dance. Oriental paintings, especially the Indian paintings, can be seen in several regions. For instance, the style of North Indian paintings is quite different from that of the South Indian paintings. The South Indian paintings also could be categorised on the basis of religion, region, culture and different periods.

Ancient South Indian paintings are generally divided into two categories. One is sketch drawings without colours.

The other is colour paintings. The sketch drawings existed even in ancient times. It is evidenced by certain verses appearing in the epic Manimekali and Nedunelvadi.

Frescoes

The ancient South Indian and Sri Lankan paintings are closely associated. For instance, the Sigiriya frescoes resemble the Thanchai Bragatheeswarar temple paintings.

Most of these paintings reflect the social, political and cultural influence of their time.

The Silapatikaram, the ancient Tamil classic, says that in the dance halls where, Mathavi held the Arangetrams there were four paintings, depicting brahmins, kings, merchants, and vellalas.

Ancient paintings also depict the dances on the pillars of the dance halls, on the Hindu temple walls, on the royal palace walls and on the inner walls of the caves.

And beautiful dance paintings were also seen on the curtains.

Most of the ancient research, dealing with dances, in the Tamil paintings begins with the Pallava period. Although the Pallava period reflected the continuations of earlier periods, there is no concrete evidence to support it. Mainly the paintings which have been studied date from the 7th century A.D. Among the Pallava kings, Mahendravarman, who was celebrated as a famous painter was called 'tiger among the painters'.

Mahendravarman's skill in painting was recognised according to a stone inscription. He wrote a thesis on the paintings Thatchana Chithiram. During the Pallava period the paintings received a boost. Paintings related to dance were also painted on the walls and in the cave walls.

Certain verses in ancient works show that to enable the dancers to learn the dance, strictly according to the tradition, they were encouraged to learn from works on paintings.

In the famous Chithanal caves, during Mahendra Varman's reign by his order, numerous paintings were painted.

One of the most celebrated paintings that of Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, at the entrance of the cave was painted during his period.

In the 7th century after seeing this excellent painting that the saint Thirunavukarasa Nayanar sang "what else is there to see!".

Pallava period

The cave paintings, during the Pallava period, still appear in the Kanchi Kailasa Nathar temple and Mamandur Caves. Following the Pallava period, the paintings received a boost. After the Pallava period no outstanding cave paintings could be seen anywhere else in the Tamil country.

After the Pallava period in the Tamil history the golden era in the Tamil country started. During the Chola period Thanjai Bragatheeswarar temple was built by the great Chola emperor the Raja Raja Chola 1.

At Thanjai Bragatheeswarar numerous wall paintings can still be seen. One of the paintings depicts Lord Siva seated on a tiger skin and watching a dance performance of the Apsaras (Devaloka dancers).

Another painting depicts the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja, watched by the devotees and by the Brahamins on one side, and on the other the ruler Raja Raja Chola 1 and his three consorts enjoying the performance.

Another dancing figure of a danseuse also could be seen among the Thanjai Bragatheeswarar temple paintings.

Tragically, once the most famous paintings on the walls of the Thanjai Bragatheeswarar temple were damaged by a fire.Even more beautiful ancient wall paintings decorate the walls of Sri Rangam temple.In most of these paintings, the expressions are very clear.

Unlike sculptures and rock inscriptions, the paintings are likely to suffer damages and destructions due to natural or manmade causes.