Return to
Architecture CatalogueHoysala Architecture : Medieval Temples of Southern Karnataka Built During Hoysala Rule/Gerard Foekema. 1994, 2 v., 281 p., 426 pages of plates, 12 maps,
Contents: Foreword/M.C. Joshi, Director General (retd.), Archaeological Survey of India. Preface. I. General characterisation of Hoysala temples: 1. The Dravida and Nagara temple styles. 2. The Dravida aedicule. 3. The Hoysala aedicule. 4. The Dravida vimana. 5. The Hoysala vimana. 6. The sukanasi. 7. The closed hall. 8. The porch. 9. The open hall. 10. The composition of the temple. II. Description and discussion of 92 temples: 1. The way of describing the temples. 2. The temples, alphabetically according to village names. Appendices: 1. The Vesara temple style. 2. The Somesvara-vimana in Lakshmesvar. 3. Early full star vimanas. 4. History of the study of Hoysala temples. 5. Suggestions for tourists. Literature. Glossary. Maps.
"This book provides a complete survey of the Hoysala temples that are still in existence. These sophisticated Hindu temples, always made of potstone, were built between 1100 and 1300 AD in the southern half of Karnataka, southern India. Today three of them, found in Belur, Halebid and Somanathapur, are very well-known. They are, however, only the tip of the iceberg, for more than a hundred Hoysala temples, large and small, have survived the ravages of time. In this book all important and elaborate ones are discussed, and also a large selection of the smaller and more simple ones. Altogether, some 90 temples are dealt with.
"This is not the first time that a full-scale account of Hoysala temples has been given. An extensive appraisal of them can be found in the annual reports of the Archaeological Survey of Mysore, published between 1906 and 1946. The exemplary descriptions and illustrations given by them are, however, scattered over many separate volumes and unfortunately, pay only limited attention to architectural design. This book nicely supplements the old Mysore reports and specifically describes the characteristic architectural features of the temples.
"All of the temples and architectural features discussed are illustrated by some 500 photographs. Architectural designs are also explained by more than 70 figures. Furthermore, all temple sites have been clearly indicated in 12 maps. Up until the present day, no other group of Indian temples has received so clear and concise and overview." (jacket)
From the foreword by M.C. Joshi, Director General (retd.), Archaeological Survey of India: "Dr. Gerard Foekema's detailed studies on Hoysala architecture, incorporated in the present book, are mainly confined to the temples built under the Hoysala rulers of Karnataka in south India during twelfth and thirteenth centuries A.D. These temples have a distinct regional character developed out of long span of crystallized experience and skill visible mainly in their medium sized formats, varying elevational quality and ornate exteriors. In comparison to other varieties of medieval temples raised elsewhere in India, the Hoysala shrines, it seems, are conditioned by a different aesthetic idiom peculiar to Karnataka. What deserves particular attention in regard to Hoysala building art is that it contains well-blended elements of northern and southern architectural traditions manifested in its structural units. This could happen due to the fact that Karnataka served as a cultural bridge between lower south and north India right from early Chalukyan times and welcomed openly the migrants to settle here. It is perhaps on this account that a few peculiar iconographic concepts of Kashmir origin find expression on the Hoysala temple reliefs.
"No doubt, the Hoysala temples have been described and documented for over a century but detailed investigations and analysis of this phase of Indian architecture have been undertaken only during recent years by some art historians. In certains cases, however, such studies are found to be too technical.
"Dr. Foekema through his present work has developed an interesting approach. While he studies the technical aspects of the subject giving the general background of the growth of temple architecture under reference, he tries to examine the important components of Hoysala temples and their features in a lucid and simple language which is further aided by his excellent illustrations. He divides Hoysala shrines into three groups e.g. Old Dravida, New Dravida and Nagara. According to him, three types of ground-plans have been utilized in these shrines for elevational purposes, viz., square, star-shaped and half-star plans. He also analyses them technically with an insight. Similarly, he also examines and studies the temples halls, porches, pillars, etc., in some depth and draws interesting inferences." No. 9051