________________
Vol. II–1996
Style and Composition in the.... transformed (Plate 9). Since these pillars are placed on top of the low wall dividing the mandapa proper from the veranda, their lower part, including this plinth, is higher, but, not counting the base in either case, the upper, 16-sided part is somewhat taller in proportion here. The difference in effect, however, is much more dramatic than that would indicate. Visually, this is a relatively slender shaft, with a small neck and broad mushroom-capital arising from a massive square base, whereas that at Lańkeśvara was a squat, polygonal mass atop an equal, square mass. The difference, of course, lies mainly in the relation of width to height. Also, however, we have here, again, the extended funnel connecting the much more constricted neck with the domed mushroom-capital in place of the flattened amalaka resting almost directly on the broad shaft. On another example of this type in the southwest corner cave (J - 20), the square lower section has been brought into much greater harmony with the polygonal shaft above (Plate 10); the neck is still constricted, with a rising funnel above it, but the capital has reverted to the flattened, symmetrical form of the Lankeśvara prototype. The third major type, the Brahmakānta pillar (Plate 11) is, again, the most unified in design, being entirely square from base to capital and lacking the abrupt transitions to heavy relief decoration. The overall proportions are slightly slimmer, but the chief development is a refinement in the decorative detail. The plain, undecorated, lower section has been reduced to a bit less than one-third of the shaft's height; a vertical panel containing a figure has been added above it; and the areas on either side of that, as well as the one above the horizontal band of carving (the candraśālā having been eliminated) are filled with fine fluting, in continuation of that on the neck and capital. A fourth pillar type in the main hall of the Indra Sabhā temple (Plate 12) is actually a variation on type one. The capital and shoulder are the same, but the pūrnaghata has been reduced considerably, and the pillar has a curiously unfinished appearance as a consequence of its tall, plain, square shaft below the purnaghata. The discrepancy between the two parts, cylindrical and square, of the composite column is perhaps most conspicuous in this design. Proceeding to the ground floor of the Jagannātha Sabhă Cave-temple (Plate 13), we find the three major pillar types again represented. The Brahmakānta pillar is used here on the outer kaksāsana of the verandah, and it is fundamentally of the same design as its counterpart in the Indra Sabhā mandapa. Developments that can be noted are a more lively treatment of the ganas in the swag-garland band and of the Yakṣīs occupying the vertical panels (Plates 14 and 15), a thickening of the capital, and a tighter constriction of the neck. The type one pillar is quite similar to that in the southwest cave noted above, but its pūrņaghata has lost its lower garland, its base-section is somewhat taller, and its capital has been flattened.
Jain Education Intemational
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
