A FEW REMARKABLE WALL-RELIEFS
- ART of GROTESQUE !
Two small temples - not many enthusiasts will seek these temples out. When Ruby & I visited these two temple 4 years ago in December, 2007, the one @ Bahirgarh was found ravaged by time and the other @ Jagatballabhpur did not look very promising either.
Bahirgarh temple has since been thoroughly repaired by ASI. Looks much better now. The deity still stays shifted in his neighbouring make-shift abode - but the structure looks good. In 2007, when I tried to remove a strong root above the wall-relief on ' Krsna's Birth', locals stopped me informing that the adjacent wall was precariously unbalanced and could fall off at the slightest disturbance. Exaggeration though it sounded, the temple was in a pathetic state. The owners, not doing so well, were very disturbed about State's help not coming forth.
The Temple @ Jagatballabhpur has now lots of weeds on its roof - but, the terra cotta work looked far brighter because of maintenance. It is close to the main road - dust-cover is inevitable.But, it seemed that caring hands have given the terra cotta work on this temple's walls a lot brighter look this year.
I shall draw special attention of the viewers on the vultures , Debaki's use of an inverted 'dhamaa' - a large hemispherical caned container - during child-birth, art of grotesque, apart from convention Rama-Ravana battle and Krsna-Leelaa scenes. There are several other social scenes which are quite interesting ! Specally mentionable is -- social scenes on arches came into vogue from late 18th century. Sribati's temples and this one @ Jagatballabhpur are excellent examples of this practice.
" "Also watch the horse-bodied woman playing a flute on lower RH corner!"
This is actually Maricha. This scene with Rama on the left of the arch and Maricha holding the arrow on the right is common in Hugli and Medinipur."
- ART of GROTESQUE !
Restored Damodar temple, Bahirgarh, Dt Howrah
The state of affairs in 2007 . From my blog - http://cshyamal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2010/12/damodar-temple-bahirgarh-west-bengal-india.htm.
Temple @ the crossing of Domjur- Jangipara road & left lane to Jagatballbhpur.
Lots of weeds on the top - but wall-reliefs are clean.
Two small temples - not many enthusiasts will seek these temples out. When Ruby & I visited these two temple 4 years ago in December, 2007, the one @ Bahirgarh was found ravaged by time and the other @ Jagatballabhpur did not look very promising either.
Bahirgarh temple has since been thoroughly repaired by ASI. Looks much better now. The deity still stays shifted in his neighbouring make-shift abode - but the structure looks good. In 2007, when I tried to remove a strong root above the wall-relief on ' Krsna's Birth', locals stopped me informing that the adjacent wall was precariously unbalanced and could fall off at the slightest disturbance. Exaggeration though it sounded, the temple was in a pathetic state. The owners, not doing so well, were very disturbed about State's help not coming forth.
The Temple @ Jagatballabhpur has now lots of weeds on its roof - but, the terra cotta work looked far brighter because of maintenance. It is close to the main road - dust-cover is inevitable.But, it seemed that caring hands have given the terra cotta work on this temple's walls a lot brighter look this year.
Devaki gives birth to Krsna. Celebration all around !
Damodar temple,Bahirgarh, Dt Howrah
Details of the above - Debaki uses of an inverted 'dhasmaa' - a large hemispherical caned container.
I shall draw special attention of the viewers on the vultures , Debaki's use of an inverted 'dhamaa' - a large hemispherical caned container - during child-birth, art of grotesque, apart from convention Rama-Ravana battle and Krsna-Leelaa scenes. There are several other social scenes which are quite interesting ! Specally mentionable is -- social scenes on arches came into vogue from late 18th century. Sribati's temples and this one @ Jagatballabhpur are excellent examples of this practice.
On close scrutiny, we find a man with moustache and head-gear,
very likely an Englishman -
very likely an Englishman -
perhaps an Indigo Planter - terrorises people with a lash or a sword. In the top LH corner, he has a sepoy to assist him.On the lower RH corner, he whips a naked peasant (?) while a cut-off head lie on the ground. Also watch the horse-bodied woman playing a flute on lower RH corner ! **
Jagatballabhpur, Dt : Howrah.
A Lanka Yuddha scene - vultures feast on corpses. Motifs of nice parrots decorate
Siva temples built on the edges of the arches.
Damodar temple,Bahirgarh, Dt Howrah.
**NOTE :- My friend Amit Guha from London has commented :
" "Also watch the horse-bodied woman playing a flute on lower RH corner!"
This is actually Maricha. This scene with Rama on the left of the arch and Maricha holding the arrow on the right is common in Hugli and Medinipur."
