Sculpture

The stone images of the Buddha sittings in the yogasana posture discovered from such places as Karumadi, Mavelikkara, Bharanikkavu, Maruthurkulangara and Pallikkal are also among the finest examples of early Kerala stone sculpture. They are believed to show traces of the influence of the Buddhist art of Sri Lanka. The Jain images of Parswanatha, Mahavira and other Tirthankaras obtained from such places as Kallil, Chitaral, Sultan's Battery, Pallikunnu etc., also form an invaluable part of the sculptural heritage of Kerala.

The temples of Kerala contain exquisite sculptures, particularly in stone, which exhibit diverse influences such as Pandya, Chola, Vijayanagar etc. The figures of deities and animals and of dance scenes on the walls and balustrades of temples are typical of the temple sculpture of Kerala. The Trikkodithanam Vishnu temple (11th century) is noted for its two Yazhi panels depicting two types of ancient Kerala dances, viz., Kudaikuthu and Kudakuthu. The Parasurama shrine at Tiruvallam has interesting panels depicting animals like elephants and lions. The Siva temple at Kandiyur has exquisite stone sculptures depicting puranic legends and myths. In the Haripad Subramonia temple there is an imposing stone figure of Hanuman, with its face looking upwards. The sculptures in the Sri. Padmanabhaswami temple, Trivandrum, the Janardana temple, Varkala and the Siva temple, Vaikom, are the products of the influence of the later Vijayanagar and Nayak styles. The Sri Padmanabhaswami temple is, in fact, a treasure house of all that is best in the 18th century stone sculpture. The Kulasekhara mandapa and the Siveli mandapa in this temple are embellished with masterpieces of stone sculpture belonging to the 18th century. The scenes from the Puranas and the Epics and the story of Bhagavatham have been executed with remarkable finish and grace in small relief's.

The churches of Kerala have also enriched the sculptural tradition. In many churches may be seen huge granite Cross erected on beautifully carved granite platform, eg., the churches at Kaduthurthi (Valiapalli), Changanacherry, Kanjur, Ankamali and Kuruvilangadu. A familiar piece of sculpture seen in churches is the one depicting the scene of the Crucifixion. The baptismal fonts or basins used in the churches for carrying out be sacrament of Baptism are fine examples of stone sculpture. A unique piece of sculpture seen in some Kerala churches is the Persian Cross. It is formed by the inter-section in the centre and at right angles of two bars equal in length bearing inscriptions. The wings of this Cross also end with floral designs. Among the most famous of Persian Cross is the one seen at the churches at Kadamattom, Kaduthuruthi, Kottayam, Parur and Alangad.

The wood carvings in Kerala temples show the art at its best in the same way as the stone sculptures. The most common of the wood carvings are seen on the namaskara mandapas. They depict figures of Navgrahas on the ceiling and Puranic figures on the rafters and beams. The Kuthambalams are also noted for their fabulous wood carvings, as for example, those in the temples of Subrahmonia at Kidangur and Haripad. Wooden walls with beautiful carvings are also seen in several temples. In addition, there are wooden bracket figures, sculptural columns etc. The Mahadeva temple, Katinamkulam, the Sri Mahadeva temple, Kaviyur, the Narasimha temple, Chathankulangara, the Sri Vallabha temple, Tiruvalla, the Sri Rama temple, Triprayar and the Krishna temple, Trichambaram are some of the temples noted for exquisite carvings.

Wood carvings of excellent quality may be found on the altar, the pupils, the doors, the beams and the ceilings of some of the churches. The St.Thomas church Mulanthuruthi, the Cheriapalli at Kaduthuruthi, the churches at Koratti and Irinjalakuda, the St.George's church, Edappalli, and the All Saint's Church, Udayamperur are among the churches noted for their wood carvings. "The Last Supper of Christ" carved in wood in the Mulanturthi church is a star attraction.