Madanikas of the Channakeshava Temple, Belur – Part 5

Madanika 30: abhimani. Wall 32

This madanika is called Abhimani… the proud one. Symbolizing someone who has a lot of pride in her beauty and is also very conscious of it.




The sculpture at the left (at her feet), holds up a mirror but is looking away – kind of telling her ‘woman, reality check’

 

 

 

Madanika 31: Imaginary flute. Wall 33.

This one has an imaginary flute in her hand.
Nope… double checked… the flute was not removed in the eight hundred odd years since this has been in place. 

 

 

 

Madanika 32 & 33: Wall 33 & Between 33-34

 

 

 

Madanika 34: The married one. Wall 34

This one depicts a woman who has been recently married and who toe is being adorned by a toe-ring. 

In parts of India, especially the south, married women wear a toe-ring.

I like the detailing in this one… she is holding onto a vine for balance.

 

 

 

 

Madanika 35: The Drummer. Wall 34.

As in an earlier one, this is not really a madanika… but is a sculpture of a man. A drummer.

the drummer is tuning his drums by tightening the ropes that pull the skins together.

 

 

 

 

Madanika 36: Wall 35.

Don’t really have much on this one.

 

 

 

 

 

Madanika 37: Wall 35

This madanika is one of the most intricately carved ones.


The carvings around the head are really beautiful.

I’d imagine most of the madanikas had this kind of sculpture at the top… but most don’t.

 

 

Wall Reference: