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Different types of necklaces (hara) are found in the sculptural art of this period and they can be described as following:

String of beads or pearls or akshamala

It is a type of hara formed of series of spherical objects, which can be identified variously based on either context or nature of the person wearing it, as beads or pearls or akshamala. It can be seen adorning the sculptures of both the genders. In case of it is formed of single row of beads or pearls, then it can be identified as of the ekavali type. Most of the male and female artisans depicted in the panels from the Thantontrisvara temple at Kanchipuram, wear a hara of this type. In one case (fig. 164) the method of tying the hara around the neck using the loose end of its string in the form of a knot can also be seen.

Jaya (fig. 200) in the Mahishasuramardini panel of the cave temple at Mamallapuram also wears a necklace of this type. As she is an attendant of Durga and is depicted as a warrior, the hara can be said as formed of either globular beads of semi-precious stones or pearls as well. Similarly type of hara can be seen worn by Durga (fig. 114) in the same panel as well as by the female Vidhyadharas in the larger Bhagiratha bas relief panel at Mamallapuram. Krishna in the Govardhanadhari panel and Siva in the larger Bhagiratha bas-relief panel wears a hara formed of such rotund beads in addition to the crescent shaped plain kanthi. In the latter case the rotund objects can be identified as rudrakshas. Similarly, identification can be done to the chain of beads worn by Siva in the guise of a kirata in the Kiratarjuniya panel depicted on the wall of a angalaya in the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. A similar type of mala can be seen worn by Yoga Dakshinamurti from Kaverippakkam^[1] (fig. 180). Additionally, it consists of a rectangular bead in the centre. A different variety of this type, can be seen worn by another image of Dakshinamurti from Kanchipuram^[2] with cylindrical bead in the centre. A similar variety can also be seen worn by a Brahmana (fig.237) in a panel (lower row) on the northern cloister wall of the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram.

A devotee kneeling to the left of Vishnu in the Trimurti cave temple at Mamallapuram wears a necklace formed of string of beads (fig. 497). Among the royal portrait sculptures depicted at Mamallapuram, that of Narasimhavarman I (fig. 238) carved on the southern face of the Dharmaraja-ratha displays a hara formed of either semi-precious beads or pearls.

A necklace formed of rotund beads with a flower or star shaped pendant at the centre can be seen worn by Chamundi (fig. 202 and 484) fixed on a platform along with other Saptamatrikas at Mamallapuram.

String of beads or pearls with a central pendant

A hara of this type is similar to the above mentioned one, except for a pendant dangling from its middle. Thus, Durga (fig. 239) in the Draupadi-ratha is shown with a pendant in the shape of a flower with six petals. The hara worn by Durga (fig. 114) in the Mahishasuramardini panel of the cave temple at Mamallapuram has a bi-conical shaped pendant suspended vertically. The pendant has linear beaded design on it with four tassels in the form of a string with beaded terminal, hanging from it.

Multiple strings of beads or pearls or akshamala

A necklace formed of multiple strings of beads or pearls can be seen worn by Parvati (fig. 240), in the sculptural panel representing Siva as Bhikshatanamurti, now kept in display in the National Museum, New Delhi^[3]. This type can be identified with the muktavali.

Hara in the form of a gold string

This is the simplest type of hara consisting of a loose metal string worn around the neck, most probably of gold. The length, thickness and number of such haras worn by an individual differ. A single hara of this type can be seen adorning the neck of the dvarapalikas (fig. 219) flanking the shrine entrance into the Kotikal-mandapam at Mamallapuram. Goddess Sri and the celestial woman standing to Her left in the Gajalakshmi panel of the Varaha-mandapa at Mamallapuram (fig. 117) are also seen wearing such a hara. Similar depiction can be seen adorning the neck of many gopikas (fig. 112 and 241) in the Govardhanadhari panel and the Saptamatrika images fixed on a platform in Mamallapuram.

String like hara with a pendant

A hara of this type is similar to the above mentioned one, except for a pendant dangling from its centre. In many cases the minute details of the pendant is not known and is visible in the form of a heart or diamond or an inverted triangle. Such a type with a pendant is always seen adorning the neck of a woman only, irrespective of their identification either as a goddess, dvarapalika, celestial or a gopika. Several examples can be seen in the Govardhanadhari panel at Mamallapuram (fig. 241). It is most probable that the pendant could be of similar design like the one worn by a dvarapalika (fig. 242) carved on the outer wall of the garbhagriha in the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram. Here the pendant can be seen clearly formed of two rows of circular gems with a single pear shaped gem below. Thus, all together it gives the shape of a diamond or an inverted triangle. It is most probable that the pendant was also of metal with blank patterns engraved on it, for inlaying the gems. Parvati (fig. 243) in the Bhikshatanamurti panel of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram wears a similar necklace, but with a circular pendant. The design on the pendant is not known due to the worn out state of most of the sculptures in this temple. Perhaps it could be an embossed pattern of a flower or inlaid in such form using gems or pearls.

Thread with a single rudraksha

In this type the circular object worn around the neck by means of a string, could be identified as a rudraksha based on the context of the wearer. Thus both the devotees (fig. 168) kneeling on either side of Brahmasasta in the Trimurti cave temple at Mamallapuram wear a simple thread with a rudraksha suspended from it.

A metallic string with a floral badge in the middle

A hara of this type could be of metal-made and is in the form of a plain string with a cast medallion attached in its middle. The method of soldering the medallion with the ring and the form of ring varies. The image of Surya from Kaverippakkam^[4] (fig. 230) wears a plain hara with the medallion attached to it abruptly. The medallion is in the form of a flower having four petals with a circular gem set in each of its part. It is also embellished with looped tassels. Similar type can be seen worn by Vishnu from the village Perangur (Villupuram district)^[5] (fig. 235).

In contrast the image of Shanmukha from Kaverippakkam^[6] (fig. 244) is shown wearing a hara in the form of three strands, with beaded designs in the middle one. It is soldered with the medallion though a strip having wavy lines on its edges and a gem set in its centre. The badge is similar in design sans the embellishments.

A metallic string with a circular or oval shaped medallion in the middle

This is similar to the above type except for a circular or oval medallion in the middle of the string. Necklace of this type is seen worn by several men figurines (fig. 245) in the panels^[7] of the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram. Due to the worn out state, the design on the medallion, if any could not be traceable.

A pair of metallic string with a rhombus badge in the middle

This type of necklace is especially noticed adorning the neck of several men depicted in the panels of the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram (fig. 498). These men can be identified as the king’s subordinate as they are shown either standing near the king or seated at a lower level than the king with the hands folded or in anjali^[8]. In one such case (fig. 246) similar ornament can be seen adorning a man seated near the king’s throne and engaged in some discussion. In a panel (upper row) on the southern cloister wall, a royal person identified as Hiranyavarman, the father of Nandivarman II Pallavamalla is also shown wearing such an ornament (fig. 247). In all these cases, the necklace is in the form of a pair of plain string, probably of metal soldered to a badge in the middle. The badge is roughly in the shape of a rhombus inlaid with a circular gem in the middle. Its sides are extended on either sides and can be seen fused with the ends of the string.

A necklace made of metal pieces resembling Jaji kusuma flower

This type of necklace can be seen adorning the image of Surya from Satyamangalam^[9] (fig. 248 and 499). In this type, a series of metal pieces imitating the Jaji kusuma flower are worn around the neck by means of a string. Such necklaces of gold known as jajikusumahara are popular even now in Andhra Pradesh^[10].

String with a row of beads hanging

An image of a devotee (fig. 249) carved on the wall of the garbhagriha in the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram is shown wearing a necklace in the form of a string, probably of gold with a row of metal pieces resembling a circular bead hanging from it. At the centre of the necklace a rectangular piece of metal can be seen, which could be an amulet.

Necklace formed of pearls, floral medallion and tassels

This type of hara can be called as a type of muktavali i.e. formed of pearls and is especially noticed in the regions ruled by the Rashtrakutas and consequently, its impact can also be seen in the ornamentation and style of sculptures. A best example is the image of dvarapalaka from Kaverippakkam^[11] (fig. 130). In this image the muktavali is seen in the form of a garland and is embellished with circular gems, floral medallion in the middle and beaded tassels.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Ibid, Acc. no. 71�22/37.

[2]:

Now kept in the National Museum, New Delhi, Acc. N o. 59.153/30.

[3]:

Ibid, Acc. No. 59-153/38.

[4]:

Now kept in the Govt. Museum, Chennai. Acc. no. 71�25/37.

[5]:

Now kept in the National Museum, New Delhi, Acc. no. 61.1157.

[6]:

Now kept in the Govt. Museum, Chennai. Acc. no. 71�5/37.

[7]:

Three panels on the southern wall, upper row in the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram.

[8]:

A panel in north-western and northen wall, each in the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram.

[9]:

Now kept in the Govt. Museum, Chennai, Acc. no. 2558.

[10]:

K. Krishna Murthy, Nolamba Sculptures –A Cultural Study, Delhi, 1987, p. 37 and fig. XV, 25.

[11]:

Now kept in the Govt. Museum, Chennai. Acc. no. 71-7/37.