Cultural Life of Vijayanagara Empire

The Vijayanagara Empire was known for its rich culture. It was famous for beautiful art, unique buildings, and great books. People enjoyed different kinds of dance, music, and festivals.

Art and Architecture

• During the Vijayanagara Empire, many temples were built, mainly in the Dravidian architectural style.
• Key features of these temples include intricately carved pillars often featuring horses, and mandapams (open pavilions) for deities during special occasions.
• The Garbhagriha, or sanctum, is where the deity was typically placed.
• Famous examples of Vijayanagara architecture include the Vitthalaswamy and Hazara Ramaswamy temples in Hampi.
• A notable metal casting is the image of Raja Krishna Deva Raya and his queen.
• Unique to this era were monolithic carvings and statues, like the Gomateshwara (Bahubali) in Kerala and Venur, and the Nandi bull in Lepakshi.
• The Vijayanagara rulers were also significant patrons of music and dance.

Literature

• The Vijayanagara Empire is celebrated as a golden age for literature, with significant contributions in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Sanskrit.
• Literature especially thrived under Krishna Deva Raya, a scholar of Sanskrit and Telugu, who authored the renowned “Amuktamalyada.”
• These literary works offer a glimpse into the lifestyle and professions of the era.
• The period was marked by a diversity of genres, including romance, fiction, and also scholarly texts on astronomy, astrology, and grammar.
• Notable works include “Gadugina Bharata” by Kumara Vyasa, a Kannada translation of the Mahabharata, and writings by Chamarasa, a prominent Virashaiva scholar in Kannada.

Paintings

• Ceiling adornments in the Vijayanagara empire featured mural paintings.
• Themes primarily revolved around scenes from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas.
• Red color was commonly used for the background of the paintings.
• Painting styles were characterized by simplicity and vibrancy, with linear representation.
• Emphasis was placed on facial expressions and costumes.
• The ceiling of the Virupaksha temple mandapa showcases a painting depicting Vidyaranya in a palanquin.
• Vidyaranya was the guru of Harihara and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagara empire.

Related Articles:

• Vijayanagara Empire
• Major Dynasties of South India (Part I)
• Major Dynasties of South India (Part II)

The Vijayanagar Empire was a patron of literature and arts. Sanskrit and Telugu literature flourished during this period, and the empire contributed to the development of Carnatic music. This empire existed in South India, established by Bukka Raya I and his brother Harihara I in 1336.

In this article, we are going to learn the history of the Vijayanagar Empire along with its Social and Cultural Life.