The Government State Museum in Madras is best known for two
important collections: sculpture from Amaravati and its Bronze Gallery.
The Amaravati Collection has panels, pillars, carved railings and Buddha statues
of milky white marble from a Buddhist stupa excavated at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.
Believed to be erected by Ashoka around 2nd century BC, the sculpture reveal
contemporary architecture, costumes and ordinary occupations of people. Most
famous are the Taming of the Elephant Nalagiri, Dream of the Buddha's mother
Maya, episodes of the Buddha's life andjataka stories. There are also sculpture
from the later PaUava, Chola, Hoysala and Chalukya periods. The Bronze Gallery
is housed in a separate building. South Indian bronzes are a tribute to the
highly complicated lost wax process or ci" elegance and beauty are highlighted
by a fluidity of movement especially those dating to the Pallava and Chola period
(9th to 13 th centuary AD). Gods from the Hindu pantheon dominate and are classified
under saivate and Vashnative groups. Prominent among these are powerful Natrajs,
Shiva performing the dance of creation a Chola Ardhnarisvara the Lord who is
half woman, a 9th century Somaskanda from North arcot district. A 10th centuary
Chola group of Rama, sita. Lakshmana and Hanuman.
Government State Museum and National Art Gallery
Panthean Road
Egmore
Madras.
Timing 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on Fridays and government holidays.
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