Art & Culture GS Paper I by Rashid Yasin

Model Answer

Question #1. The accurate picture of the complex socio-cultural milieu of Peninsular India is presented in the early Sangam literature. Elucidate.

Approach

• The question focuses on a pillar of Socio-cultural milieu of Peninsular India that is presented in the early Sangam literature.
• The perspective of the question is simple and straightforward.
• Introduction (Summary of key demand of the question, along with necessary facts).
• Conclusion by summing up the gist of the answer.

Hints:

Sangam literature was composed from 100 AD to 250 AD by Tamil poets belonging to the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms.The works of the third Sangam give information about polity, religion, economy and society of the period.

Socio-cultural milieu of Peninsular India is presented in the early Sangam literature:

• These were written by bards in praise of kings/chiefs. Though full of exaggeration they do enlighten about the culture, social norms, politics and economic life of the period. These works do not fit in western notion of history as narration of political events but they covered many areas other than political narration.
• In Manimekhalai, a vivid description of the city of Puhar (Kaveripattanam) is given. On the basis of which extent of trade and economy can be constructed. They had mainly dealt with the culture of the court but life of common masses was also dealt with.
• The concept of tinai, according to which the landscape was divided into five regions based on ecological niche can be understood and activities associated with these regions like hunting and gathering in hilly region, pastoralism in semi-arid region, agriculture in plains can be dissected.
• Sangam literature also presents the evolution of religion and Bhakti in South India. The deities associated with different regions were included into the pantheon of Hinduism. The spread of Sanskritic culture and spread of Puranas linking local religion with broader Hinduism can also be discerned from these texts.

These texts also presented a picture of urban life and also the polity prevalent at that time. So these texts are important sources if dealt properly by reading between the lines.

Question #2. The Sun Temple at Konark has all the features of the Orissa temple architecture style.  Give an example

Approach

• Briefly Introduce Konark Sun Temple (40 words)
• Explain how it represents Orissa temple architecture style(170 words)
• Conclude (40 words)

Hints:

Sun Temple of Konark, built in the middle of 13th century, is a massive conception of artistic magnificence and engineering dexterity.  King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of the Ganga dynasty had built this temple, (1243-1255 A.D.).

Sun temple at Konark represents the Odisha's architecture in following ways:

• The Odisha temple architectural style developed from the eighth century to the thirteenth century.
• Konark Sun Temple represents the climax of Odisha's architecture. 
• The Odisha architectural style includes structures such as the Deul (the vimana floor rising above the sanctum), the Jagamohana (the huge hall next to the sanctum sanctorum), the Natmandapa (the huge hall for dancing).
• The large structure of Konark Temple seen today is actually the Jagamohana (also known as Assembly hall, Audience hall or Mukhasala) of the temple.
• The main temple tower which enshrined the presiding deity has fallen off and only the remains can be seen.
• Since the ruler used to worship the Sun, the temple was considered as a chariot for the Sun God. Konark Temple was designed in the form of a decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and drawn by 7 horses.
• The entrance is guarded by two huge lions, each killing a war elephant and beneath the elephant is a man. The lions represent pride, elephants represent wealth and both of them consumes man
• Konark temple was initially built on the sea bank but now the sea has receded and the temple is a little away from the beach.
• This temple was also known as 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark colour and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha
• Every day, the Sun's rays would reach the Deul (main temple tower) from the coast and reflects from the diamond placed at the centre of the idol
• A heavy magnet was placed at the temple top and every two stones of the temple are crammed by iron plates.
• The idol was said to have been floating in air due to the arrangement of magnets. The magnet at the top is said to have disturbed compasses for coastal voyagers and later on removed
• The Sun Temple of Konark was declared a Cultural world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1984.

Conclusion

 The Konark temple, even in its present ruined state, is still a wonder to the whole world. Great poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Konark: "Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man".