Introduction
Human being is the mortal animal but he desires to be immortal. Love, death, terror and fear are the main sources of creation of art and architecture. Men always fear from the death, so they use different safety measures to defense themselves from their enemies. The necessity of protection and care result the inspiration for creation of architecture.
The early civilization of the world shows that the people used great sphinx to protect the tomb and funeral places in Egypt. The use of lion as guardians in the temple, palace and monasteries of Kathmandu valley is not different from the sense adopted in ancient Egyptian civilization. The lion with human face kept on the plinth of Siddhi Laxmi temple of Bhaktapur Durbar Square can be compared to the Sphinx of Egypt.
Such mentality prevails in the architecture on Nepal. Different animal sculpture including lion was used on entrance on Nepalese building such as temples, palaces and monasteries. The palace welcomes visitor with two remarkable lion standing in front of it. The concept is not different to temples and monasteries of Nepal. The lion is used as for symbolism, decoration and protection.
General description
It is well known that Kathmandu valley is rich in its art, religion and culture from ancient times. The Nepalese history and some existing building structure shows that the early major towns of valley were fortified or walled around for defense or protection and four gates at four cardinal direction with a pair of lion guardians on either side of doorway. Powerful animals such as elephant, lion, bull etc. were used as guardians and ritual sites in front of historically and religiously important buildings such as palaces, temples and monasteries. Generally a couple of lion guardians can be perceived on either side of main doorways of such type of buildings excluding some exceptions. Pair of guardians in series can be found in the multiple plinth temples such as Nyatapola temple of Bhaktapur, Shiva Laxmi temple of Bhaktapur etc. The pair of wrestlers of Bhaktapur (namely Jaimal and Patta, followed by the pair of elephants which is again followed by a pair of lions, then by a pair of griffins and finally a pair of deities - Singhini and Baghini can be perceived gradually from lower plinth to upper plinth on Nyatapola temple. They are believed as doorkeepers in charge of paved stairway, which do not allow the evil power to enter into the temple. The statues are kept in such a way that its strength is ten times more than that of previous pair. Hence the wrestlers are said to be ten times powerful than the ordinary citizens and the elephants are ten times powerful than the wrestlers and son on.
Lion posture
Lions can be noticed as guardians in religious buildings in different positions. In Rudrabarna Mahabihar, stone sculpture of lion can be found sitting in hidden position for his victim. In the doorway of Mulchowk of Patan Durbar Square, lion sculpture can be noticed in sitting position. In the four corners of Kalmochan temple of Tripureshwor, lions can be seen in flying position. In some religious buildings, lions can be seen on top of isolated freestanding column.
The lion
As lion is a very powerful animal, it is regarded as the king of the forest in the kingdom of animals. People believe that the powerful lion can protect and defense from different and harmful agents and enemies. The hugeness of its body structure fears the unwanted enemies where as welcomes the friends.
Though lion is not the only animal featured at the temple entrances it is undoubtly the most profusely used. Elephants, griffons, narasinghas(man-lions), camels, rhinoceroses, sphinxes, etc. can be found in the various temple entrances of the valley. Nobel persons leading a child and a dog is also found in the lohan dega of Bhaktapur.
Generally, lion sculpture used on either side of the entry where one is male and another is female. Such practice can be perceived from initial stage of history. According to Hem Raj Shakya, the lion found in “Akeschheswor Mahavihar” Monastry is the oldest lion sculpture of Patan area.[1]
Lions in detail
Generally, lion sculpture can be found in little raised up platform, which is rounded, buy “nago” in stone detail. Different hairstyle can also be noticed in different places. Hairstyle also tells us about its movement whether it is very angry or not. Such details help to give life to the sculpture. Chained lions can also be seen in some places, for instance the lions at the entrance of Mulchowk of Patan Durbar Square. Psychologically, it was believed that the chain tied the lion to position at its own platform so that it could not escape from that place. More detailing can be performed in metallic lion than in stone ones.
Materials and technology
Stone is excessively used for making lions. In some cases, bronze is used. Construction technology of making lion of stone can be found to be very much advance. Several pieces of stone are used to form a monolith of a lion. Special type of dowel joint is adopted to joint such type of stone pieces. The technology totally depends upon making of the lion sculpture in stone. Highly skilled craftsmen are needed to make such elements. The size and architecture of lion depends upon the importance and size of the building.
The architectural aspect
Lions are ubiquitous element in the Nepalese architecture. It is used as the architectural motif of entrance and elevational treatment of the building. The lion motif can be perceived on the ends of joists on the temples. Lion motif can also be found used as the base plate for the “tham” or wooden pillar. Motifs in bricks can also be found in some religious structure. The open face of the lion gives the look of power. The front façade lion has been one of the specific features on Nepalese architecture. The lion at the front façade also gives the senses of symmetry and balance to the building.
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