Cultural Contributions of Satavahanas


Q) Discuss the cultural contributions of Satavahanas? 
A)

Satavahanas ruled for 400 years, during which they contributed alot interms of Art, Architecture, Literature, Religion and other cultural Spheres. 

Amaravati School:- During satavahanas’s period, world’s renowned Art, Amaravati school of art and architecture is developed. This art used Costly marble and depicted the motifs in refined manner, which clearly depicted the emotional aspects of scenes. Thats why, it is also called Living Art. This art heavily concentrated on the life and Jataka stories(his previous births) of Buddha.
Padmapani

Paintings:- During this time, buddhists, who made ajanta caves as their Viharas and Chaityas, painted the Jataka tales on walls and ceilings of the Ajanta in the form of Mural frescoes. The most important caves of this period are VIII, IX and XII.  

Other Architectures:- Apart form these, Satavahanas contributed to many viharas, chaityas and Stupas of Buddhism. For example, Amaravati Stupa was one of the world famous stupa with intricate art designs at its Circumambulatory Path. Sri Vijaya University with more than 1500 rooms was constructed at Nagarjunakonda with contributions of Yajnasri Satakarni. 

Literature:- 

Hala’s Gāthā Saptaśatī in paisachic Prakrit contains anthology of 700 poems. Apart from this, Vastayana’s Kamasutra, which contains story of Kuntala Satakarni, Gunadya’s Brihatkatha and Leelavathi Parinyam were not only classics but also reveals the social, political, economical and cultural conditions of that time. 

Hala’s Gatha Saptasati reveals that people of their kingdom practiced various entertainments such as dicing, fishing, animal fighting, group dances, Ballet Dances, Brundagana, e.t.c., 

In this way, Satavahanas contributed alot interms of Culture. Architecture of their times inspired many in succeeding dynasties. Ikshavakus’s who are pioneers of temple architecture in Andhra were vassals of Satavahanas. They continued and made progress in the art and architecture of Satavahanas. 

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