The temples built during the period of the Hoysalas, a dynasty that ruled large parts of southern India from the 11th – 14th centuries, are known for their exceptionally rich, profuse and intricate figural carving. Two of the earliest such temples are the Chennakeshava temple in Belur and the Hoysalesvara temple in Halebidu, built in the early years of the 12th century. Both these temples underwent several modifications within a century of being constructed, including the additions of decorative stone screens, lintels and brackets. Some of these modifications to the temples were documented in lithic inscriptions. A close examination of discontinuities in the temples’ decorative schemes and sculptures points to several other likely architectural alterations and modifications in both these temples. This talk explores some of these additions to the two temples and the possible reasons that may have prompted them.
About the Speaker:
Meera Iyer is the convenor of the Bangalore Chapter of INTACH- Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the conservation of unprotected architectural heritage all over India. The Bangalore chapter focuses on preserving Bangalore’s forgotten heritage, through heritage walks, as well as the identification, documentation, restoration and conservation of heritage structures. Meera Iyer has published two books - Discovering Bengaluru – History, Neighbourhoods, Walks, which a part history, part walking guide, which delves into the history and evolution of various neighbourhoods in the city and is a contributor to the book Eleven Stops to the Present: Stories of Bengaluru which is a collection of eleven fiction stories set in Bangalore, incorporating historical elements like time travel and narratives spanning various eras. Her work with INTACH Bangalore played a pivotal role in documenting Belur, Halebidu, and the Somanthpura temples with the aim of inscribing the “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas” as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iyer, holds a PhD in forest ecology, and is also is a freelance writer and journalist, writing copiously on the environment, forests, science and heritage and culture in and around Bangalore.