Dynamic movement and twists of the body

Benoy K Behl

Earlier this month you saw the rarely seen Parvati painting of the 7th cent. at Pannamalai. It gives me pleasure to bring to you a photograph of a vibrant painting of the end-10th cent., from the inner ambulatory of the Brhadiswara Temple, Thanjavur.

Far beyond mere optical reality, the painter conveys the dynamic movement and twists of the body. He has his medium marvellously at his command. The portrayal is effective and effortless.

This magnificent body of art in the inner ambulatory was photographed in 1992 and shown across the world. It helped to clearly establish the continuous tradition of painting coming from ancient times in India.

Text and photo Benoy K Behl