The Amravati School of Art, known for its unique narrative sculptures, played a key role in the development of early Buddhist art under the Satavahana dynasty.

Amravati School of Art

The Amravati School of Art is celebrated for its indigenous character, free from foreign influences, unlike the Gandhara School of Art. It reflects greater artistic freedom and boldness compared to other ancient Indian art traditions. The Amaravati style of art developed in India over six centuries, between 200 BC and 100 AD. The second century BC, especially the latter half, was a flourishing period for this style. This art form is visible in the ruins at Amaravati and stupa remains at Bhattiprolu, Jaggayyapeta, Nagarjunakonda, Ghantasala, and Goli, located in Andhra Pradesh. It extended westward to Ter, Maharashtra. The Satavahana dynasty played a significant role in the growth of the Amaravati School of Art. Later, Ikshvakus and other groups like feudatories, administrators, and merchants patronized this artistic tradition. Notable remains include the ruins of the great stupa at Amaravati and stupa remains at Jaggayyapeta, Nagarjunikonda, and Goli. The influence of the Amaravati art style spread to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka (notably at Anuradhapura). The Amaravati School is known for its elegance and sophistication. Its relief panels are notable for their delicate forms and linear grace. Buddhism was the primary focus, encompassing both Hinayanism and Mahayanism. Early works depicted Hinayana themes, while later centuries focused on Mahayana themes. Besides Buddhist themes, Amaravati artists created secular images, such as panels illustrating scenes of dance and music, emphasizing the joy of life. The use of white or cream limestone gave Amaravati sculptures a marble-like finish, making them appear as fresh and vibrant as the day they were carved. A hallmark of the Amaravati School is its narrative art. Medallions and panels were intricately carved to depict entire stories with sequential images, such as Buddha taming an elephant. Over six centuries, the Amaravati School transitioned from aniconic to iconic representations of Buddha, demonstrating its artistic and cultural evolution.

Overview of the Amravati School of Art

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  • The Amravati School of Art is known for its famous Amravati Stupa and was one of three prominent schools that emerged with the spread of Buddhism during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
  • The other two schools were the Gandhara School of Art and the Mathura School of Art, each having its own distinct style.
  • Developed in Andhra Pradesh, particularly along the Krishna and Godavari rivers, the Amravati School flourished between 200 BC and 100 AD.
• Historical Background
  • Flourished: 200 BC to 100 AD, under the patronage of the Satavahanas.
  • Developed in the lower valleys of Krishna and Godavari rivers, in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Included both religious and secular sculptures.
  • Notable Locations: Amravati, Nagarjunikonda, Goli, Ghantasala, Vengi.

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  Major Features of Amravati School of Art
  • • Narrative Art: A key characteristic of the Amravati school, where sculptures depict events from the life of Buddha and Jataka stories.
    • Medallions: Carved to depict natural occurrences and events.
    • Material: The Amravati stupas are made of striking white marble.
    • Sculptural Form: Features sculptures with a sense of movement, vitality, and naturalism.
    • Symbolism: Buddha’s life is symbolically represented, with occasional personifications of Buddha.
• Comparison of Amaravati, Mathura, and Gandhara Art Styles

  

  • Amaravati Style: Developed in southern India, characterized by slim figures, emotional intensity, and complex anatomical forms.
  • Mathura Style: Developed in northern India, with full-bodied figures and graceful posture, often depicting Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist themes.
  • Gandhara Style: Influenced by Greco-Roman art, developed in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, with naturalistic figures and Greek influence.
• Key Differences between the Three Schools
  • Material: Amaravati uses white limestone, Mathura uses red sandstone, and Gandhara uses bluish-grey sandstone and stucco.
  • Influence: Gandhara is influenced by Greek art, Mathura developed indigenously, and Amaravati is purely indigenous.
  • Patronage: Gandhara and Mathura were patronized by Kushana rulers, while Amaravati was patronized by the Satavahanas.
  • Religious Themes: All three schools focus on Buddhist imagery, but Mathura also incorporates Hindu and Jain themes.
• Notable Sites of the Amravati School

  

  • Amaravati Mahachaitya: The prominent site where the famous Amravati Stupa is located.
  • Other Important Sites: Nagarjunakonda, Goli, Ghantasala, and Vengi.
  • Preservation: Sculptural remains are preserved in the British Museum and Madras Museum, with many carvings intact at Nagarjunakonda.

  

• Amravati Stupa
  • The Amravati Stupa is renowned for its pradakshinapatha (circumambulatory path), enclosed by a vedika with narrative sculptures depicting Buddha’s life and Jataka stories.
  • Its domical structure is covered with relief sculpture slabs, which is a unique feature of the Amravati Stupa.
  • In its early phase, the stupa lacked large Buddha images, which appeared later during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE.
  • The entrance gate (Torana) has disappeared over time.

  

• Major Characteristics of Amravati Stupa
  • Location: Amaravathi, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
  • Construction Period: 3rd century BCE to 250 CE, with enlargement and replacement of sculptures starting around 50 CE.
  • Influence: Considered one of the three major styles of ancient Indian art, influencing art in South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
  • Protection: Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Sculpture Art During the Kushana Period
  • Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda Sculptures:
    • The third type of sculpture art that flourished during the Kushana time was at Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh. These sculptures are fully inspired works, displaying a mastery where detailed ornamentation and the elegance of figure sculpture join in rare harmony.
    • They unfold the cultural story of a glorious people who had adopted Buddhism as their creed, linking it with their dynamism as merchants and mariners on both land and sea.
    • Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs, showcasing tender conceptions that bespeak an irrepressible joy of life.
    • The sculptural remains of Amaravati have found their way to the British Museum and the Madras Museum, while the carvings of Nagarjunakonda are preserved almost in entirety at the site.
    • The white limestone used in the sculptures creates the illusion of marble and remains as fresh today as it was when it left the hands of the carvers.
    • The Mahayana religious movement in the Andhra country invested the life of the people with a golden halo, whose brilliance is fully reflected in the sculptures of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
    • The themes of these sculptures were primarily Buddha’s life and Jataka tales. Notably, the curly hair of the Buddha is an influence of Greek art.
    • In these schools, Kings, Princes, Palaces, and other regal motifs have been given prominence in the artwork.