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LESSON - 2
D0 6112 பிற்காலக் கட்டடக் கலை
THE MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE
Multi-functional buildings of the post sangam and later periods, the parts of மருவூர்ப்பாக்கம் and பட்டினப்பாக்கம் in பூம்புகார், the five types of councils and many temples therin are pointed out in this lesson. The dance hall of காவிரிப்பூம்பட்டினம் mentioned in சிலப்பதிகாரம் is described. The town planning and places where people of several religions lived in காஞ்சிபுரம் are the pride of Tamil land. Understanding the need for water resources, the Tamil kings found ways and modes of irrigation to enrich the country. The development of architecture alongside the faith in religions is highlighted in this lesson.
The types and structures of forts, the transition from sangam to the later periods and architecture as seen from Tamil literature form the subjects of the three central units of this lesson.
Tamil kings built their palaces, armouries to defend their countries, and forts to protect people from enemies. Forts were called ‘durgas’ and hill forts ‘giridurgas’. Similarly ‘jaladurga’ surrounded by rivers and sea. ‘Pangadurga’ built by sand and clay, ‘deivadurga’ fortified by nature and ‘rinadurga’ situated on dry infertile open land. Towns had secret places for storing arms and outer towns for warriors, workers and faithful people. Deep furrows round the palaces were connected with natural water resources like rivers, lakes and gulfs. Rock forts were better than other forts in their uniqueness and defence.
The twin literary works of சிலப்பதிகாரம் and மணிமேகலை present information about people’s residential buildings, Royal buildings and religious places of worship. பூம்புகார் is described well in these works. The Chola king of மருதம் land focussed attention on the நெய்தல் part of பூம்புகார் town. The richness of commercial centre of the city called மருவூர்ப்பாக்கம், the royal part called பட்டினப்பாக்கம், the interlinking market place called நாளங்காடி (the day-markets), முத்துப்பந்தர், பட்டிமண்டபம் and தோரணவாயில், the பூதச்சதுக்கம், wherein dwelt சதுக்கபூதம், the dance hall known as ஆடலரங்கம் and the different temples were popular during the transition period.
The architecture noted in Tamil literature is illustrated by the descriptions of காஞ்சி மாநகர் and மதுரை மாநகர் and by the development of water resources like tanks, lakes and wells besides waterfalls and springs.
By learning this lesson, you will understand the construction of various structures devised by the artists applying the rules of architecture. Life, war, religion, natural resources and dance contribute to the Tamil architecture.
