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Articles: Arts and Culture | A symbol is more potential than an image
- Mr. Sri Vatsa G Srivatsa
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In an image we behold the familiar form whereas in a symbol no familiar form is noticeable. An image is an end in itself while a symbol leads us to something other than itself and yet which it represents. That is why the primitive art as well as the modern art are rather symbolic.
The Hinayana sculptors in Amaravati had adopted the symbolic method for sculpting the life of Buddha in stone. The Hinayana sculptors were able to create in stone, the life of Buddha without showing the image of Buddha.
Sculptures in Amaravati were built by the Satavahanas and gradually came into prominence in the reign of Vasishtiputra Pulamavi.
After Amaravati, the name of Nagarjunakonda stands in eminence. Nagarjunakonda belongs to Ikshwakus, who were feudal vassals of Satavahanas. The sculpture of Amaravati crawled to Nagarjunakonda, and many of the Amaravati sculptures were repeated there.
The Andhra sculpture of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda are world-renowned, these sculptures repose in many museums in the country and abroad alike. The sculptures of grace and artistic merit came into existence throughout the country during the Pallava period. Especially the Pallava sculpture of Mahabalipuram has sprung into fame.
Temples containing marvelous sculpture are scattered in various places. This could be seen in Ramappa temple in Kakatiya’s fort at Warangal. Some of the sculptures on the friezes of the Ramappa temple are like miniature paintings. These miniature sculptures create an illusion of constant moving. Indeed blessed were those Kakatiya sculptors who were able to create such an illusion of movement in the hard static stone. It is a wonder to find the presence of some sort of sculpture of some historical period in every village and town in Andhra Pradesh. Many of the sculptors of modern Andhra execute their works in clay and then get them cast in bronze, they are not wont of carving the stone direct. There are few professional sculptors in Vemuru and Purushatpatnam in Guntur district who execute sculpture in various media including direct carving of stone.
Art and artists, especially sculpture and sculptors, need greater patronage, for sculpture, unlike other arts, withers in the absence of adequate patronage, because sculpture can not attract the hearts of the art lovers so easily as painting, music and dance do.
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