SUBDUING THE MAD ELEPHANT NALAGIRI MEDALLION FROM AMARAVATI

SUBDUING THE MAD ELEPHANT NALAGIRI (MEDALLION FROM AMARAVATI STUPA) Unit-I, B. A. I Dr. Guneeta Chadha, Associate Professor, Head of Fine-Arts Dept. , P. G. G. C. G-11

Medallion Relief from Amaravati Vedika � � � This relief panel is from the Amaravati stupa. The time period is 3 rd century A. D. It is made in marble. The diameter is 35 inches. It is now displayed in the Government Museum Madras.

Buddha subduing the mad elephant Amaravati Stupa

� � The relief, the subduing of the mad elephant Nalagiri is shown in a highly dramatic in character. Devadatta had set it loose in order to kill the Buddha. The medallion shows two episodes of the storyon the left, the wild elephant is in rage and attacks the terror stricken people. After knoking down one unfortunate victim, it grips the legsof another with its trunk.

� � � Nearby a frightened women clings to her friend. The people at the windows of a neighboring house however, feeling themselves in a safety gap at the spectacle. On the right, the same elephant, now subdued by the appearance of the Buddha, prostrates before him. He is no longer visible because this edge of the medallion is worn away. These sculptures have shown greater skill in giving unity to composition.

� � � As in other early Buddhist sculptures, the Buddha’s presence is at first only symbolized. Very shortly afterwards, however, about AD 180 -200 - perhaps due to influences from Mathura in the North- the figure of Buddha suddenly appears in Amaravati. This relief has Buddha depicted in human form. It is a superb example of the mature Amaravati School. The representation of action is remarkable, as is the organization of space which amply accommodates the story and the wealth of architectural and human detail.

Conclusion � The figure of Buddha indicates cultural, and theological influence from the Kushanas, who were the dominant dynasty in the Northern India.