Government Museum, Chennai, popularly known as Madras Museum is one of the oldest and largest Museum in India for Natural and Cultural history. A sprawling campus with British period structures, is situated in the neigbourhood of Egmore and also houses Connemara Library, National Art Gallery in the same complex. Madras Museum is known for its rich archaeological collections like hero stones, memorial stones, masatikal, architectural remnants, inscriptions, bronze sculptures, stone sculptures of various religions and other artefacts from different parts of South India. Of all, Amaravati collection is remarkable to mention. It is spectacular that sculptures of various dynasties dating before Common Era to Modern period and belonging to various religions are found here, undoubtedly this Museum is a treasure trove for Art historians. Sculptures of Madras Museum series will explain in detail the sculptures found in Museum.
AMMAIYAPPAR OF TIRUCHENNAMPOONDI
A beautiful Ammaiyappar is seen in the Sculpture Section, the placard mentions the sculpture is taken from Thiruchchennampundi, Tiruchirappalli district, however, the village now comes under Thanjavur district.
It is a bas-relief sculpture, the God is shown in the right half and the Goddess in the left half denoting Lord Siva as Mathorupagan or Umaiyorupagan. The deity is standing in tribhanga posture, the body from foot to waist is in samabhanga posture while the body from the waist to shoulder with a lean towards right and the head tilted towards left. Standing on a padma pitha with the left leg planted in sama on the pitha while the right leg is in parsva. The God is shown with two hands while the Goddess with one hand. The back hand of the God is in kartari mudra and carry parasu whereas the front hand is resting on the Nandi. The left hand is folded up and in kataka carry a flower.
The deity is lavishly decked with attire and ornaments. The braids are beautifully matted as jatamakuta and decked with head patta. The ears are elongated and adorned with makarakundala in the right and patrakundala in the left. Kandigai, charapali are the ornaments around the neck, kankanas, keyura are the ornaments in the arms. Upon the attire, marauri aadai is shown for God whereas for Goddess, the drapery extend upto the calf as a ‘v’ shaped gathering wear with front frills (munkosuvam), besides, the slight crease denotes it a silk attire. The attire is fastened by kacchu and its noose is knotted in the front. Besides, idaikattu is slackly worn above and the knot is shown on the right side. Tharagaichummai is worn around the waist. Thalseri is worn in the ankles, but different in pattern, the anklet of the goddess is beaded. The yajnopavita is worn in niveta fashion.
The God with left leg firmly planted on the floor while the right leg slightly bend at knee giving a lift on the left hip and slant on the right side makes a cosy leaning on Nandi with right hand completely stretching on him. The leaning gives a beautiful fold in the abdomen and the head tilted towards left adds grace. One can see a youthful gentle masculinity on the right and elegant femininity on the left. The anatomy of the sculpture is perfect, exhibiting the mastery of the Chola sculptor. The stature, poise, attire and ornaments creates a graceful blend, sure a masterpiece of Early Chola art. Elegance, realistic, life size, anatomy are the signature traits of Early Chola art.
Nandi standing behind the God is shown in profile posture body attached to God with its head protrude towards front on which the God is resting His hand. The complete leaning of the God on Nandi shows the coziness of both.
At Tiruchennampoondi, Sadaimudi Mahadevar or Kadaimudi Mahadevar temple is found, architecture, sculptures and inscriptions place it to Early Chola period. The temple remained much dilapidated in the midst of shrubs and bushes, the State Archaeology department renovated it and has given a facelift. Sculptures are found in the northern and southern koshthas of the vimana, however, the western koshtha of the vimana is empty. Lord Vinadhara Dakshinamurti and Lord Brahma are seen in the southern and northern koshthas respectively. These sculptures are also bas-relief in nature and known for its elegance.
The Madras Museum Ammaiyappar of Thiruchennampoondi probably belongs to the western koshtha of Kadaimudi Mahadevar temple at Thiruchennampoondi. Lord Ammaiyappar as western koshtha deity is also found in the neighbouring Early Chola temples viz., Sri Pushpavaneswara temple at Thirupoonthuruthi, Aiyarappar Temple at Thiruvaiyaru.
For a detailed description of Thirukadaimudi Mahadevar temple at Thiruchennampoondi, please find in the given links. http://kattrali.com/index.php/2023/01/22/thiruchchennampoondi-kadaimudimahadevar-temple-1/ http://kattrali.com/index.php/2023/02/20/thiruchchennampoondi-kadaimudimahadevar-temple-2/