Photo 212/3(1)

Inscription: Numbered '331' in the negative.

Genre: Architectural Photography

View looking towards eastern gopura of the Vatapatrashayi Temple at Srivilliputtur, with houses lining the roadway in the foreground. Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: '331 - This Gateway, which is considered one of the finest and best proportioned in Southern India, is well seen in this Photograph, which is taken from an excellent point of view. It is nearly 200 feet high, the pyramidal part of the tower being of brick and plaster, rises through eleven storeys exclusive of the base and the waggon-shaped roof. It is not only particularly pleasing in form, but elegant in its details, figure sculpture being only sparingly used, and then only where its presence is conducive to the general effect. Its design is somewhat marred by the open colonnade on each side of the central range of windows having been built up in modern times, and now presenting flat unmeaning surfaces where originally there was relief and shadow. In the view may be seen two of the country carts, which are drawn by bullocks, and are in use all over the Madras Presidency.' Another copy at Photo 1000 (2981).