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 5 - Sculpture: The true reflector of the Society
28 (of 84)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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239
However, it is now quite difficult to assess the matter
of these allied professions of textile industries on the light of
available sculptural evidences here at Madan-Kamdeva as the age
old erosion have already abolished the smooth plastic texture of
the sculptures. Only few sculptural exuberance supported the
cause for the suppose existence of embroidery and dyeing
professions in Kamrupa.
Tailoring was an another important subsidiary
profession of textile industries. While describing the life of the
people of Kamrupa as well as gracious presence of divinity, the
sculptor here at Madan-Kamdeva found to be very much selective
in choosing the dress code for their product. In doing this, the
sculptor certainly have beared some inspiration from the actual
work of a professional dress maker, or in other word, it can be said
that there must be a group of professionals who were expert in
cutting and sewing an artistically woven cloth and thus convert it
into a fashionable item of that time to appease the taste of the
people, specially of the high class personnels in the society. These
tailors were expert in making different type of head-gear out of
cloth for kings, queens, rich men and women in the society.
60 Second important sculptural reflection is about the
existence of a group of professionals who had earned their.
livelihood by making articles of every day's use probably of different
metal like copper, tin, brass, bell, lead, iron, gold, silver etc.
Regarding the proficient tradition of metal industries in Assam,
Jean Baptist Travernier had stated that This kingdom is one of the
60. Agarwal, U. : Op-cit, 1995, p. 162.
