Pala Art and Architecture

Pala art, also called Pala-Sena art or Eastern Indian art is one 3 Some Mahaviharas had double storied rooms and
of the best contemporary art forms of the country, thrived stairs were made in the courtyard.
under the aegis of Pala rulers who were Buddhist followers. Examples:
The Pala Art and Architecture are the extension of Buddhist 3 Odantpuri Mahavihara in Biharsharif by Gopal.
art form patronized by Mauryan rulers, especially Ashoka. 3 Vikramshila Mahavihara in Bhagalpur, Somapura
Developed during the medieval period between 8th-12th Mahavihara at Paharpur and Sompura Mahavihara
century, this artistic style flourished in present day Bihar and in Bangladesh by Dharmapala.
West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. 3 Pala ruler Devapala permitted the
Pal Art can be divided into three categories: Shailendravanshiya Java ruler Balaputradeva to
1. Architectural Art Forms: These are further divided into build a Mahavihara in Nalanda.
four types i.e. 3 Jagaddal Vihar also has a gigantic construction.
a. Mahaviharas,
b. Chaityas, Chaityas: The tradition of building Buddhist temples, i.e.,
c. Temples, and Chaityas were old but it was diversified under Pala Art and
d. Stupas. Architecture. Many remains of Chaityas have been found
2. Sculptural Art Forms: These are divided into two from different parts of Bihar.
subcategories i.e.
a. Bronze Sculptures, and
b. Stone Sculptures.
3. Paintings: These are also divided into two subcategories
i.e.
a. Manuscript Painting, and
b. Wall Painting.

Architectural Art Forms

Mahaviharas:
Different Mahaviharas were built and patronized by
Pala rulers from Gopala (The founder of Pala dynasty)
to Dharmapala and Devapala. Built mainly as residences
for Buddhist monks, these Mahaviharas also served as Fig-Chaitya Hall
important Buddhist educational centers.
Features: Temples: Although Pala rulers were Buddhist but they also
3 Most of the built many temples of Hinduism, basically in the Nagar style.
structures were E.g.,
made of bricks, Mahipal built hundreds of temple at Kashi.
however stone Vishnupada temple at Gaya with hemispherical mandap
structures are also like umbrella.
found. Siva temple at Konch in Gaya district, famous for its
3 Generally rectangular in structure having an open pinnacle and corbelled lattice window.
courtyard in the middle. The 9th century Rock-cut temple at Kahalgaon
3 Porch/veranda were built around the courtyard, in (Bhagalpur) has gabled vaulted roof, which is the
which gates of rooms were opened. characteristic of South Indian Architecture.
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 3 These are made up of bronze using molds and casted
in Cire Perdue technique.
3 Despite being ornamented and decorated from front,
these sculptures are plain from behind.
3 These sculptures can be compared with the aesthetics
of the Natraj sculptures of Chola Empire.
3 These are mainly religious in nature, including sculptures
of various god and goddesses of Hindus and Buddhists.
E.g., Buddha, Vishnu, Balram, Bodhisatavas etc.
3 The bronze image at Nalanda and Kukrihar mostly
portray the Buddha and Bodhisattvas including
Avalokitesvara, Manjushree, Maitreya and
Vajrapani and other Buddhist gods and goddesses
such as Jambhala, Haygriva, Tara, Prajnaparamita,
Vasudhara, Hariti and Parnasavari.
3 Bronze sculptures are found in large numbers from
Fig- Gaya Vishnu pada temple Kulkihar (Gaya), Nalanda and Sultanganj.
Stone Sculptures
The 9th century Siddheshwara Mahadeva temple in 3 These are made of Basalt stone brought from either
Barakar in Burdwan District depicts a tall curving shikhara Munger or Santhal Pargana.
crowned by large amalaka is an example of early Pala style. 3 Like Bronze sculptures, stone sculptures are also
Many of the temples from the ninth to the twelfth century ornamented from the front and left plain from back side.
were located at Telkupi in Purulia District, showing Nagara 3 Most of the images are of gods and goddesses
sub-types that were prevalent in the rest of North India. especially of Bodhisattvas. Important life events of
The temples used black to grey basalt and chlorite stone Lord Buddha have been especially depicted.
pillars and arched niches. 3 Brahamanical gods like Vishnu, Shiva or Jain
sculptures are also found but they are comparatively
Stupas: Although the culture of building stupas were ancient less in numbers.
but some stupas were also made during Pala period with Limitations
slight differentiation, which are found in different parts of
Bihar, Bengal and Bangladesh. Pala sculpture is criticized for lacking originality and
simple aesthetic sense which are easily found in Gupta
sculpture.
Images have been heavily ordained with ornaments,
which confers them look like artificial ones.
Even in the images of gods and goddesses, human beauty
has been attempted to be interposed.
Even Tantric influences are also manifested on account
of which female body has been intertwined, exhibiting
apparent sensuousness.
Paintings
Manuscript Painting:
Painted manuscripts were generally written on Palm
leaves.
Fig- Stupa Examples
3 Ashtasahasrika,
Sculptural Art Forms 3 Pragya-parmita and
A new style of Bronze and stone sculpture emerged 3 Panchraksh.
during the Pala rulers, promoted by Dhiman and Vithpal Colors used:
or Bithpal of Nalanda, who were the contemporary of 3 Primary colours like red, white, blue, black.
Dharmapala and Devapala. 3 Secondary colours like green, violet, light pink and
Bronze Sculptures: Grey.
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 Features: Certain images of elephants, horses, dancers, Bodhisattvas,
3 Delicate and nervous lines, sensuous elegance, linear etc. are also found.
and decorative accent. Impact of Ajanta and Bagha Cave Painting is easily
3 The impact of Tantric art is easily visible. noticeable.
3 They perpetuate the tradition of Ajanta painting with
Conclusion
the sensuous bias of Eastern India.
3 It also resembles some of the qualities of Nepalese Looking at the above features, it can be concluded that the role
and Burmese Art. of Pala Art and Architecture in the cultural history of India is
Mural or Wall Painting:
invaluable. Many of the Pala architectures have been included
in the Buddhist Circuit of “Dekho Apna Desh” campaign, which
Wall Paintings have been found at Sarai Sthal at Nalanda. shows not only the religious significance of these art forms, but also
Flowers of geometrical shapes, images of animals and their importance for the tourism sector in India.
humans are noticeable at the bottom of a platform made
of granite stone, even after fading.

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