Essay name: The Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev (Study)
Author:
Kamal Nayan Patowary
Affiliation: Gauhati University / Department of History
The essay critically studies the Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev: an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam (India) dating back to the 9th century A.D. The site features elegant sculptures in relief and round forms which are documented in Sanskrit texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra.
Chapter 3 - Iconographic-sculptural study
72 (of 86)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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133
Tripura have four unique designation namely as Bagbhava,
Kamabjak, Damar and Mohan. 156 Above all the Kalika Purana
have also prescribed the entire process of her worship.¹
Thus, certainly be a scion of the Tripura group of
deities, the most interesting point to observe about this
representation is the aesthetic innovation on the part of our age
old sculptors. Apart form that its Kukutanda faces, elongated torso
and sensuously carved fleshy abdomen have duly referred this
well conceived deity as being the best probe example of the
influence of Pala School of art where the sufficient exposition of
classical techniques are there to observe in her execution. She
along with the main temple is a product of 10th century A.D.
Section-3 :3 Minor Male Divinities :
A) Vetala (Fig. 7.1):
Attracting our attention, the first sculpture in this
section of our study is an emaciated sculpture almost of an abstract
qualities. It is interesting to note that this type of sculptural
exposition is totally unknown to entire aesthetic arena of Assam.
At present, the image have a headless stand which further
aggravated the concept of abstractness to the sculpture. Apart form
that the age long erosions have also caused a severe damage to
the right hand of the image as well as it also partially eliminate
smooth upper plastic surface of the image. Carve out on an
architectural post the surviving length and the width of this
tribhanga posture sculpture are 83 and 24 cm respectively.
156. K.P. 63/169.
157 K.P. 63/170-198.
