New Film Proposal: Mahabalipuram
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If you are interested in sponsoring the production of this documentary film,
please contact: THE MADRAS DOCUMENTARY COMPANY #289 Arcot Road, Vadapalani, Chennai - 600026. India. Mobile: +91 98400 64300 [email protected] |
Some time in the middle of the 7th century, this story unfolds… the documentary begins with the rich, colourful and dynamic life style of the town. There are scenes of joy with the seaside town of Mamallapuram decorated in red, green, orange and white. We see. homes being washed and cleaned and decorated with mango leaves, tender coconut saplings. The famous Pallava Lion Flag is flying everywhere. Women wearing bright coloured dresses are painting the streets with bright kolams (designs) of chariots, elephants, horses & temple towers.
Today is a day of joy and town has woken up early. From the early hours of the morning men, women and children dressed themselves up in silk and ornaments and assembled in the street corners. The air is filled with the music of drum beats and musical instruments. The towns folks are exited and talking with each other in anticipation of the great event. The Emperor, Narasimha Pallavan, is coming to Mamallapuram with the Princess Kundavi. The Emperor was set to visit Mamallapuram and the people were excited. He was considered the best ruler they had. He had a God-like effect on the people. The Emperor was here to restart the massive sculptural works that had been stopped for several years… The Emperor nurtured art, music and his passion for sculpture. It all began with the great Pallava king Mahendravarman. He had a vision of creating a temple to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. This temple was be brick-less (anishtakam), timber-less (adrumam), metal-less (alokam) and mortar-less (asudam). His decision to use stone for temples set the trend for a great movement on the stones of Mamallapuram in the reign of his son, Narasimhavarman I Mamalla. Narasimhavarman I Mamalla was the greatest king of the Pallava dynasty. He avenged the defeats of his father at the hands of their eternal enemy, the Chalukyas of Vatapi. Mamalla as he was called was “a great wrestler” and a great warrior. He was the greatest connoisseur of the arts. He chose the rocks of Mamallapuram for his great creations. The name Mamallapuram was derived from his pet title Mamalla. As we walk through the town today little do we realise the effort that must have been applied to create this great open air museum of sculptures. The rock in Mamallapuram is very hard and the ancient builders must have toiled with dedication to carve them and excavate them. The shapes must have evolved slowly, every shape, every figure telling a story and recording history. We are sure that the works must have spanned several dynasties from the time of Mahendravarman the second to his son Paramesvaravarman. Soon the Pallava builders were experimenting with new ideas, they began to construct temples by putting blocks of stones on one above the other. This techniques was perfected in Mamallapuram and the Pallavas built hundreds of beautiful temples all over Tamil Nadu. Then there is the mythical and Brahmanical story to the town’s origins which is equally interesting... The story of origin of Mahabalipuram relates to the tale of Lord Vishnu kulling the tyrant Hiranyakashipu. He then installed Prahlada on his father’s throne. Prahlada was followed by his son Virochana who was followed by Bali. Here’s where the story gets interesting. Once Bali in his arrogance promised Lord Vishnu, who was in Vamana (dwarf) avatar, three steps of land. Lord Vishnu transformed into a huge giant figure and covered the Earth and the Heavens in two steps. He then demanded the third step from Bali. Bali realised that he was in the presence of Lord Vishnu… he fell at his feet and offered his head as the Lords third step. The town’s name was changed to “Maha bali puram” in sixteenth century to pay tribute to King Bali. |
The town is also famous for the mythological story of Lord Krishna fighting Banasura the son of Bali. Banasura had captured and imprisoned Aniruddha, the son of Krishna. Banasura, the son of Bali is said to posses a thousand hands. Krishna defeats Banasura after a pitched battle and cuts of all his hands but leaves only one pair of hands. This was to allow Banasura to still fold his hands in worship of the Lord.
Mamallapuram was named as Mahabalipuram during the British rule. Mahabalipuram, is a testament that faith and hard work can create art of the finest order. Huge monuments dot the landscape. The more we see the more we discover the work of artist long forgotten and an art form that is dying. The town is truly a monument that belongs to the entire human race and not to one culture, as a tribute to this concept today Mamallapurm has been registered as a World Heritage Site. The documentary we are planning will take the viewer through the mystery, the history, the life in a bygone era and the beauty of each monument. We will do this without losing sight of the great the human effort of carving in the hot Sun on one of the hardest materials known to man. He then installed Prahlada on his father’s throne. Prahlada was followed by his son Virochana who was followed by Bali. Here’s where the story gets interesting. Once Bali in his arrogance promised Lord Vishnu, who was in Vamana (dwarf) avatar, three steps of land. Lord Vishnu transformed into a huge giant figure and covered the Earth and the Heavens in two steps. He then demanded the third step from Bali. Bali realised that he was in the presence of Lord Vishnu… he fell at his feet and offered his head as the Lords third step. The town’s name was changed to “Maha bali puram” in sixteenth century to pay tribute to King Bali. The town is also famous for the mythological story of Lord Krishna fighting Banasura the son of Bali. Banasura had captured and imprisoned Aniruddha, the son of Krishna. Banasura, the son of Bali is said to posses a thousand hands. Krishna defeats Banasura after a pitched battle and cuts of all his hands but leaves only one pair of hands. This was to allow Banasura to still fold his hands in worship of the Lord. Mamallapuram was named as Mahabalipuram during the British rule. Mahabalipuram, is a testament that faith and hard work can create art of the finest order. Huge monuments dot the landscape. The more we see the more we discover the work of artist long forgotten and an art form that is dying. The town is truly a monument that belongs to the entire human race and not to one culture, as a tribute to this concept today Mamallapurm has been registered as a World Heritage Site. The documentary we are planning will take the viewer through the mystery, the history, the life in a bygone era and the beauty of each monument. We will do this without losing sight of the great the human effort of carving in the hot Sun on one of the hardest materials known to man. 
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