The Andhra Culture During The Kakatiyan Times (An Old and Rare Book)

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The rule of the Kakatiyan of Warangal is the Golden Period in the Cultural History of Andhra Pradesh. The Imperial Kakatiyas and their feudal chiefs have left behind some magnificient temples situated at Palampet, Waran-gal, Hanumakonda, Ghanapur, Katak-shapur, Bejjanki, Ramanjapur, Bhootpur, Nidikonda, Nagulapadu, Pillalamarri, Jhakaram, Manthani, Kuchimanchi, Ryali, Motupalli, Peda Tumbalam and host of others which contain some- wxquisite pieces of sculptural art. Though a major part of the Kakatiyan sculptural art is essen-tially religious nonetheless it contains several secular themes which are use-ful for study of social and cultural aspects of the time. These sculptures which reflect a cohesive experience of the. cults and communities contain narrative reliefs from scriptures like Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavatha, historical and semi-his-torical scenes, music and dance scenes, toilet scenes, drummers, flute players, the alasakanys or the indolent maidens, s warriors, animals of war-fare such as horses, elephants etc., The most famous bracket figures from Ramappa temple at Palampet are uni-que in conception and execution. These nude girls and dancers in various postures are the faithful rep-resentations from the Silpasastras and classical dance texts.

Dr. Anila Kumari for the first time made best use of this great collection of Indian Art for study of architecture, art, dress, ornaments, music and musical instruments, flora, fauna etc., The author's profound knowledge of literature and inscriptions of the Kakatiyan times was appropriately utilised for a corroborative study of sculptural art; thus according a distinct stamp to this book which no doubt, would serve as an outstanding reference work by art and cultural his-torians.

Dr. Mrs. V. Anila Kumari graduated from the University Women's College, Hyderabad, did her post graduation in Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology from the Osmania University, Hyderabad. She took her Ph.D from University of Mysore under the able guidance of the well known Archaeologint, Dr. B.K. Guru Raja Rao. Subsequently, she took a Diploma in Museology and joined the world famous Salarajung Museum, Hyderabad as a Guide Lecturer. During her tenure, she happened to meet some eminent Archaeologists and Museologists from all parts of the World. In 1989, she left for U.A.S. with her husband Dr. Devaki Nandan a Scientist in Genetics and worked for some time in College Station, Texas, Presently she is staying at Boston for post doctoral research in Ancient In-dian Art exhibited in various Museums. While she wds in India she was a member of various Historical. and Archaeological Societies and presented papers on Indian Art and Culture at various Conferences. Her present Book would cater to the needs of archaeologists and historians which may conveniently be used as a refer-ence work of a high standard for further research in the realms of Art and Culture of Medieval Andhra with special reference to the Kakatiyan times.

The present dissertation embodies the study of the author on the socio-cultural aspects of the Kakatiya times, approximately from 1000 to 1323 A.D., as reflected in the vast mass of extant contemporary literature, either published or unpublished, on the priceless sculptural wealth available in the temples or lying scattered on the open spacious ground inside the fort of Warangal and on those exhibited in the various Archaeological Museums under the control of the Department of Archaeology and Museums and the Birla Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute, Hyderabad. Previously several scholars of repute have worked on the political and economic aspects of this period. Mention may be made of Prof. M. Rama Rao, more recently, Prof.R.Narasimha Rao, who made intensive study of the medieval history of Andhra Desa, mostly on the aforesaid topics. Late Sri Suravaram Pratapa Reddy, Prof.Lakshmiranjanam, Sri Balendusek-haram, Sri Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma, Sri B.N.Sastry have done pioneering work on the cultural history of Andhra Desa through the ages. Prof. Radhakrishna Sarma brought all the important temples in Telangana region into limelight through his book entitled "The Temples of Telingana". As such, it is found necessary to focus mainly on the Kakatiyan age which witnessed the flowering of various aspects of Andhra culture, the fragrance of which permeated throughout South India during the subsequent periods.

This work deals with the cultural aspects like architecture, art, music, dance, drama besides discussing the other social facets such as costumes, hair-dresses, foot-wear, jewellery, ornaments, coiffure, games, amusements, conveyances, weapons of offence and defence and lastly flora and fauna. In course of my field work in the Districts of Warangal, Kareemangar, Khamanm, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar, I acknowledge the help received from Sri A.Someswara Rao, a historian of Warangal and Sri Thakur Rajaram Singh, Advocate from Kareemangar District.

I am grateful to Dr.M.S.Nagaraja Rao, Director-General, Archeaological Survey of India Dr.V.V.Krishna Sastry, Director, Dept. of Archaeology and Museums Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Dr. Kamalakar, Director, Birla Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute, Hyderabad for permitting me to study the relevant monuments, sculptures and antiquities exhibited in the Museums. My sincere thanks are also due to Dr. M.L. Nigam, Director, Salarjung Museum, without whose encouragement and inspiration this work would not have seen the light of the day. I am beholden to Sri P.Sitapatai,I.A‘S.,for the award of research fellowship from the State Archives, to Sri R.Parathasarathy, I.A.S., former Commissioner of State Archives for his coperation in the study of the manuscripts and in the collection of material from the library, to Dr.V.V.L.Narasimha Rao, the then Director, Oriental Manuscripts Library, Hyderabad for according permission to study the rare manuscripts and books.

I gratefully acknowledge the cooperation I have received from some of the staff members of the Department of Archaeology, and Museums-Hyderabd, namely Dr. B.Subramanyam, Sri K.Raghunath, Sri V.Yellaiah and Sri J.V.S.Sainath, Sri G.Narasimha Rao, Sri E.S.Nagi Reddy, Asst. Sthapati, and Sri B.Narayana, Conservation Assistant. I also owe my thanks to Smt.Kusuma Kumari, Research Officer, State Archives for help in procuring material from the manuscripts hall, to Smt. Varalakshmi, Librarian in the State Department of Archaeology, Sri K.Ramesh, Librarian, Salarjung Museum for providing library facility. I am obliged to Mr.Syed Habeebuddin and Sri Surya Bhaskar for their excellent job in typing the manuscripts.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to Dr.B.K. Gururaja Rao, Professor, Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Mysore who through his parental guidance, critical appraisal and invaluable comments, is solely responsible for shaping this thesis.

I am also grateful to Prof.A.V.Narasimha Murthy, Head of the Dept. of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore and the authorities of the University of Mysore for permitting me to register for doctoral research and publish the thesis.