An Overview of Musical Instruments in Temple Inscriptions and Sculptures

Abstract

Temple inscriptions and sculptures bear testimony to what the Tamil music tradition would have been like many years ago. Although music has not been given a special place in the history of inscriptions, many temples have images of musical instruments engraved in inscriptions and sculptures. During the reign of the king, the art of inscription and sculpture was developed. Music is an integral part of human life. Early man classified lands based on nature and associated music with divine worship. Temple inscriptions and sculptures record references to dance, song, musicians, and musical instruments. Inscriptions and sculptures are widely used to remind people of current events. There is an example for laymen and researchers to learn and understand the shapes of musical instruments. Texts such as Tamilar Music, Panchamarapu, and Tamilar Torkaruviyal give us references to many musical instruments. The shapes of the images can be seen in person in the inscriptions in the temple. Descriptions of music and musical instruments can be found in inscriptions and sculptures at Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Ekambaranathar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Mamallapuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli, Tarasuram Temple in Kumbakonam, Kudavarik Temple in Tirumeyyam in Pudukottai District, Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Thiruvattaru.