The Eight-day Online Textual Workshop on Mayamatam of “Temple Architecture and Iconography” workshop series was conducted by the Amrita Darshanam – International Centre for Spiritual Studies (ICSS) at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru campus between 8 November 2020 to 3 January 2021. It came as a follow-up to the workshop on Temple Architecture and Iconography (Level 3), which was organized by the centre in February 2020. The workshop consisted of online sessions on eight Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The focus of this workshop was to understand the textual tradition of the south Indian temple architecture and iconography.

The event was inaugurated on 8 November 2020 in the presence of dignitaries – Dr. M.S. Krishnamurthy (Archaeologist and Scholar, Mysore) and Br. Prasanth B (Assistant Professor, Amrita Darshanam, Amritapuri campus). The gathering was welcomed by Dr. Tanashree Redij (Assistant Professor, Amrita Darshanam, Bengaluru campus). Mr. Manish Rajan Walvekar (Centre coordinator & Assistant Professor, Amrita Darshanam, Bengaluru campus) gave an overview of the University and Amrita Darshanam, and elaborated the purpose of the workshop. Following this, the dignitaries spoke briefly about the significance of the workshop and formally inaugurated the event.

The resource persons invited to the workshop were Dr. Manoj Gundanna (Bengaluru) and Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad (Kerala). Both of them are esteemed experts in the fields of South Indian architecture. Detailed insights into the art and architecture of the temples in the Mayamatam and their chronological development were provided along with an overview of the inscriptions and lives of the kings who built the temples. The iconographical elucidations in the Mayamatam, along with the practical aspects and current practices of the temple architecture in the light of the Mayamatam, were discussed at length.

The workshop was attended by about 30 participants from across the country. The participants were from different backgrounds including arts, archaeology, architecture, engineering, heritage, literature and classical dance, etc.

The workshop was concluded with a valedictory program on 3 January 2020 with the vote of thanks by Dr. Tanashree Redij. The workshop was an inspiring cultural experience for all the participants.