Abhilashitartha Chintamani, also known as
Manasollasa, compiled by the Kalyan Chalukya king Someshwara III, dedicated a complete chapter to the techniques and making of mural paintings (
bhitti chitra). The Vijayanagara kings continued the patronisation of the mural painting tradition. Foreign travel accounts about Hampi say that many temples and palaces were decorated with paintings.
Hampi was an important religious centre even before the Vijayanagara period. God Virupaksha, a focal point of the Vijayanagara Hampi city, has been mentioned in Kalyan Chalukya inscriptions. The 12th century Kannada literary laureates Harihara and Raghavanka lived in Hampi. Harihara was responsible for composing the work on Girija Kalyana, the marriage of Lord Shiva and Girija, inspired by Kalidasa s
by Ruchira Paul
Travelers to India came from all corners of the world through the ages for different reasons. The very first modern humans probably came there in order to escape harsh climate conditions elsewhere in the world. Latter day visitors arrived with varied objectives in mind. Some came seeking material fortune, some for spiritual enlightenment and others merely out of curiosity. A few who came, took what they wanted and left. Others came to conquer and decided to stay and make India their home. Then there were mercenary visitors who looked at India as a vast revenues source for enriching themselves and their own native lands while also seeing an opportunity to instill their religious and “civilizing” values on a foreign nation. They too decided to stay but never thought of India as home. India still attracts visitors from across the world. Most come as tourists to check out its numerous and varied natural and historical vistas (there is always the Taj Mahal). Some may