The Hoysala Legacy: Belur, Halebidu, Somanathapura

20 December 2019

The Hoysalas were supreme rulers of the southern Deccan in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. As patrons of art and architecture, they sponsored a series of magnificent temples, the most famous of which are those at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura. The talk introduced the history of the Hoysalas, the role of patrons and artists, the different styles perfected by the builders of the time within the broader regional context, and the themes illustrated in the sculptures. It drew attention to the complicated layouts, elaborate wall treatments and spacious interiors of these monuments that testify to the genius of Hoysala designers and builders.