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Buddhist Sculpture

Buddhist Sculpture

From the second century BCE onwards, various rulers established their control over the vast
Mauryan Empire: the Shungas, Kanvas, Kushanas and Guptas in the north and parts of central
India; the Satavahanas, Ikshavaku, Abhiras, Vakatakas in southern and western India.
Incidentally, the period of the second century BCE also marked the rise of the main
Brahmanical sects such as the Vaishnavas and the Saivas.

Some of the prominent examples of the finest sculpture are found at Vidisha, Bharhut (MP),
Bodhgaya (Bihar), Jaggayyapeta (Andhra Pradesh), Mathura (UP), Khandagiri-Udaigiri
(Odisha) etc

Bharhut Sculptures +

The sculptures here are tall like the images of Yaksha and Yakshini in the Mauryan period.

In the relief panels depicting narratives, illusion of three-dimensionality is shown with
tilted perspective

At Bharhut, narrative panels are shown with fewer characters but as the time progresses,
apart from the main character in the story, others also start appearing in the picture
space.

Availability of the space is utilized to the maximum by the sculptors. Folded hands in the
narratives as well as single figures of the Yakhshas and Yakshinis are shown flat clinging
to the chest.

There is a general stiffness in the body and arms. But gradually, such visual appearance
was modified by making images with deep carvings, pronounced volume and a very
naturalistic representation of human and animal bodies. Sculptures at Bharhut,
Bodhgaya, Sanchi Stupa-2, and Jagayyapetta are good examples.

Narrative reliefs at Bharhut show how artisans used the pictorial language very
effectively to communicate stories. In one such narrative. Ex: Queen Mayadevi’s
(mother of Siddhartha Gautama) dream, a descending elephant is shown

One main characteristic in all the male images of first–second centuries BCE of Bharhut
sculptures is the knotted headgear

Sanchi Sculptures +

The next phase of sculptural development at Sanchi Stupa-1, Mathura, and Vengi in Andhra
Pradesh (Guntur District) is noteworthy in the stylistic progression

It has four beautifully decorated toranas depicting various events from the life of the
Buddha and the Jataka. Sculptures depicting the normal life have also been depicted here.

Figure compositions are in high relief, filling up the entire space. Depiction of posture
gets naturalistic and there is no stiffness in the body

Heads have considerable projection in the picture space. Rigidity in the contours gets
reduced and images are given movement

Carving techniques appear more advanced than Bharhut. Symbols continue to be used
representing the Buddha and the Manushi Buddhas or the past Buddhas

The historical narratives such as the siege of Kushinara, Buddha’s visit to Kapilavastu,
visit of Ashoka to the Ramgrama Stupa are carved with considerable details

Gandhara School of Sculpture +

The sculptures tradition of Gandhara was influenced by traditions of Bactria, Parthia and
local region

It flourished largely during the Kushan dynasty in the North-West frontier of the country

They used Grey/bluish grey sandstone

Buddhism was the main inspiration behind many of the sculptures

Features of the Gandhara sculptures:

Spiritual Buddha– there is a sense of calmness in the depiction of Buddha

Less ornaments on Buddha

Buddha has been depicted with wavy hair

Large forehead and eyes appear to be closed

The seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian way

The Buddha and Bodhisattva figures resemble the Greek God Apollo with broad shoulders,
a halo around the head

The physical features such as muscles, nails, hair have been done with great detail.

Mathura School of Sculpture +

Spotted sandstone was the preferred medium for depiction of sculptures

There was outside influence of the traditions of Mathura school of sculptures

All 3 religions – Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism were depicted in Mathura style

This school was patronized by Kushana rulers

The local sculptural tradition at Mathura became so strong that the tradition spread
to other parts of northern India

Salient features of this school of sculpture:

The Buddha image at Mathura is modeled on the lines of earlier Yaksha images
whereas in Gandhara it has Hellenistic features.

It may be noted that the images of Vishnu and Shiva are represented by their
ayudhas (weapons).

There is boldness in carving the large images, the volume of the images is projected
out of the picture plane, the faces are round and smiling, heaviness in the sculptural
volume is reduced to relaxed flesh.

The garments of the body are clearly visible and they cover the left shoulder.

Images of the Buddha, Yakshas, Yakshinis, Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities and
portrait statues are profusely sculpted.

In the second century CE, images in Mathura get sensual, rotundity increases,
they become fleshier.

In the third century CE, treatment of sculptural volume changes by reducing the
extreme fleshiness, movement in the posture is shown by increasing distance
between the two legs as well as by using bents in the body posture.

Softness in the surface continues to get refined.

Transparent quality in the robes of the Buddha images is evident

Halo around the head is profusely decorated

Amaravati School of Sculpture +

A Buddhist relic, having features belonging to Amaravati school of Art was unearthed
by a group of Indologists on the banks of River Gundlakamma in Andhra Pradesh.

This form of art originated in the area of Amaravati, AP.

It was patronized by the Satavahanas and later by the Ikshavaku

Prominent places where this style developed are Amravati, Nagarjunikonda, Goli,
Ghantasala and Vengi.

Features of this form of sculpture:

The material used in Amaravati art is ‘White marble’

Sculptures were carved in a naturalistic manner. Ex: ‘taming of an elephant by the
Buddha’.

Reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories

Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form

Both religious and secular imageswere present in this style.

The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated.

The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms and
linear grace.

Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying the joy of life.