INCREDIBLE TERRACOTTA ART: THE TEMPLES OF BISHANPUR ,WEST BENGAL

                                           

INCREDIBLE TERRACOTTA  ART: THE TEMPLES OF BISHANPUR ,WEST BENGAL

Bishanpur is about 135 km from Kolkata. Falling in the Bankura district of West Bengal,   Bishnupur's  famous terracotta temples were built by the  kings of Malla dynasty, between the 10th and 17th centuries,. The Malla rulers were  ardent followers of Vishnu and established Bishnupur initially known as Vishnupur. The town was a great  centre  for Vaishnavism. These temples also showcase  Bengal's unique architectural style and highly  evolved terracotta artistry. 

These temples can be classified into three categories. Most of the temples that still exist combine both the north Indian nagara style and the Orissan rekha and pidha deul styles. Second, there are the hut-style temples which include the bangla and the chala types. The chala and the bangla type temples are fashioned in the style of Bengali huts with sloping roofs joined at curvilinear edges and ending in arched cornices. Two chala structures can combine to form an ekbangla, two banglas can combine to form a jorbangla and so on and so forth, and it can be extended for up to 12 chalas. Third, the Indo-Islamic variations found in this area which include both the ratna (pinnacle towers over a flat roof) and the domed style.

Among the Malla kings, Raghunath Singha was the greatest patron of temple architecture, and reigned approximately between 1643 and 1656. He is also known for patronising Indian classical music. The three temples constructed during his reign—Shyamrai, Jorbangla (1655), and Kalachand are considered the best of the Bishnupuri temples. The pancharatna Shyamrai temple is the most exquisite of them all. It is situated next to the fort, north-west of Rasmancha.

Some prominent  builders  from this dynasty include  King Raghunath Singh (Shyam Rai Temple, Jor Bangla Temple) , Adi Malla, Jai Malla and King Bir Hambir Singh  (Rasmancha Temple ), reflecting their deep devotion to Vaishnavism . Made from terracotta and bricks , the temples have  intricate terracotta art depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata  epics and  Sri Krishna Leela. The temples are known for their elaborate terracotta panels.Most of the temples have a pyramidal roor. The Madan Mohan Temple is a  beautiful example of ekratna (single-spire)  temple architecture.Bir Hambir was the first Malla king to convert to Gaudiya Vaishnavism, founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and that brought a huge change in the cultural fabric of the region. 

Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artefacts and even jewelry made in this very traditional material are famous. The most famous of the terracotta products are the handmade jars, and disks and the more famous of them are the terracotta horses, elephants, Ganesha, and Nataraja.

The Malla kings  brought glory to Mallabhum (the Malla kingdom)  until its decline in the 18th century .The Malla dynasty's rule ended with the British East India Company's control in the late 18th century, though a titular king, Maharaja Kalipada Singha Thakur, remained until 1983.

These  temples are on the watch list of UNESCO World Heritage monuments .

( Avtar Mota)

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