Dhenkanal: “Kalingan architects built temples like titans and finished them like jewellers,” Prof Sanjay Acharya, well-known expert of temple architecture, particularly of the Kalingan style, said during the second anniversary celebrations of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks, on Monday.
He was shedding light on the genesis of temple architecture in Odisha and how it evolved due to patronage from various dynasties and clans, who ruled the region. The Kalingan style evolved and got refined as different clans and dynasties actually took it forward from where their predecessors had left it, he said.
“This gave rise to a very rich and mature manifestation of temple art and architecture, which – through maritime links – got replicated in faraway lands in South East Asia. A temple with a linear structure may have evolved from the Nagara to the Rekha, Pidha or Khakhara styles. This is a distinct signature of temples of the Kalingan region,” Prof Acharya, the grandchild of Padma Shri winner Paramananda Acharya, an eminent archaeologist from Odisha, said.
His statement on titans and jewellers came from the intricate carvings found on temple walls, gates, windows and other ancillary portions. The thrust of the discussions was how history and heritage never die but show the way to growth, progress and prosperity. Among the audience were history students from several colleges in Dhenkanal.
The event was presided over by Dipak Samantaraj, convenor of Cuttack Heritage Walks. Among those on the dais were Aparna Dhir Narendra Singh Bharadwaj, scion of the Gadamadhupur Palace and Sanjay Baral, convenor of Puri Heritage Walks.
In her address, the Aparna Dhir, Maharani of Gadamadhupur, rued the lack of awareness and love for heritage, history and culture. She pointed to how history is being ‘murdered’ in the name of development. She narrated how the “redevelopment” and upkeep of some heritage sites are getting distorted with the mindless use of modern means without even a scanty regard to the valuable structure, its importance and the period to which it belongs.
Samantarai spoke on how love for history, culture and heritage will help in future generations taking pride in their roots. Hence, awareness needs to be created right from the school level and continue till university. Baral, who has conducted some research on the Konark Sun Temple, said: “The unknown and little-known facts on the Sun Temple should be discussed more in various forums so that people come to know that Odisha had once created such a great monument in the past. Renowned art historian Dr Charles Loues Fabri had once said that if Konark had been discovered before the Taj Mahal by the Europeans then there is no doubt that the latter would have taken second place in the minds of people across the world,” he said.
Several people were felicitated at the event coordinated by Suresh Mishra, convener of DHW.
