Costume, Coiffure and Ornaments in the Temple Sculpture of Northern Andhra

A study of religious and secular sculptures in twenty-seven Saivite and Vaishnavite temples built by various dynasties (Eastern Gangas, Eastern Chalukyas and Kakatiyas) in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh between the 8^thand 14^th centuries. By scrutinizing the details of dress, coiffure and ornamentation that figured in the decoration of sculptured male and female figures carved into the walls of these temples, I assessed the social values that were expressed through material culture.  I noted how the various dynasties exercising their hegemony over this region brought their own artists and architects who, in turn, established their own genres of creativity.  By way of conclusion, I discussed how the study of the forms and designs of costume, coiffure and ornamentation lays bare the layers of cultural impacts that worked to produce the art forms of a particular time and place.  And, as such, how the body was adorned in these sculptures comprises an accurate index reflecting not only general socio-economic hierarchy but also socio-cultural and religious values including beauty, vanity and divinity.