Shashankamouli D
About me
I’m an architect (graduated in 2022, Sri Sri University, Cuttack) and 3D artist who has a passion for recreating old indian temples and likes parametric architecture. I like testing new modeling programs and playing games.
What I do
I am working as an architect in Hyderabad, Telangana. I also recreate temples in 3D and make digital architectural models in my spare time.
Goals and Ambitions
I am passionate about parametric architecture, theoretical architecture, and recreation of old Indian temples. I would like to fuse temple architecture with parametric forms and theoretical design. I do not mind not being able to design buildings that stand in real life; I see architecture combining with art as a good thing.
My Workflow
I use Blender for most of my works. Although, when needed, I am well versed in SketchUp and AutoCAD For parametric modeling, I use Blender’s Geometry Nodes and Sverchok (a Blender addon). I render my models in SketchUp (for stylised renders) and Blender (for photoreal renders). I am also well versed in rendering engines like Lumion, Enscape, TwinMotion and D5. I also like to experiment with game engines like Godot, Unity, and Unreal Engine
Phone: +91 9182727035
e-mail: dshashankamouli@gmail.com
Instagram: @moulishashanka
Contact
The Bhojeshwara
2021-2023 (as part of a paper)
Introduction
The Bhojeshwara Temple is an incomplete Hindu temple in Bhojpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was built in the 11th century CE by Bhojadeva Paramara in a city that he established and named after himself, Bhojpur.
Architecture
The temple was built in the Bhumija style, which is detailed in the Samarangana Sutradhara, an architectural treatise written by Bhojadeva. It is described as a mix of the existing styles of architecture in the subcontinent.
Only the garba-griha was completed, and it still stands today. The temple was supposed to be built on a platform, overlooking a lake called the Bhim tal.
The Paper
This model has been made for a paper that I am writing. I have recreated (and finished) the Bhojeshwara from documentation and drawings made by Professor Adam Hardy. The paper discusses why the temple was never finished, and what it would have looked like, if it had finished.
Workflow
I used drawings from Adam Hardy’s book, Theory and Practice of Temple Architecture in Medieval India. There were also hand-drawn sketches of the vimana. The model was made in Blender, and renders were taken in Blender, SketchUp and Photoshop.
Left: Elevation of the Bhojeshwara Temple, recreated.The Mandapa The Vimana & Garba-Griha
The garba-griha is all that was made during the 11th century. The vimana has been recreated taking in reference drawings from Prof. Adam Hardy’s book.
The Mandapa
This Mandapa here is theorised and made taking in reference from the Udayeshwara Temple in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. There is a theory which states that the Bhojeshwara was never supposed to have a Mandapa, and it was a funerary monument.
The Bhojeshwara
2021-2023 (as part of a paper)
Architecture
The Garba-Griha
The Garba-Griha is all that was constructed; it stands on a platform, and there is a colossal shiva-linga inside the sanctum sanctorum. The walls of the Garba-Griha are quite bare, with faux balconies on the sides.
The Vimana
The recreated vimana follows the Bhumija style. The base of the plinth and pillars are exsquisitely carved and each one of the four entrances have a corbel in the shape of a mini pillar. Above these pillars lie the signature bhumis, placed in seven tiers. Long bands, each above the four entrances, hold the bhumis in place, and a shikhara holds the bands in place.
The Mandapa
The Mandapa has been recreated taking in references from the Udayeshwara Temple in Vidisha, which was built by Bhojadeva’s brother, in the same architectural style. There exists a theory stating that the Bhojeshwara was never designed to have a mandapa, and that it was a funerary monument. My paper discusses the possibility of both single and multiple mandapas existing.
Left: Isometric section of the temple, showing the plan and the outline of the temple.The Brihadisvara
2021-2022 (as part of a team; academic project)
Introduction
The Brihadisvara Temple is a Chola-era temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It was comissioned by Raja Raja Chola and was finished in 1010 CE. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Great Living Chola Temples
Architecture
The temple was built in the Dravida style, which is unique to South India. It was the tallest temple in the subcontinent until the 16th century CE, when the Chaturbhuj Temple in Gujarat overtook it. The Bhojeshwara, if finished building, would have overtaken the Brihadisvara by almost twice its height.
The Project
This documentation was part of a team project that was carried out during my bachelors degree, where each team was assigned a monument and were told to document them. Our team’s monument was the Brihadisvara in Thanjavur.
Workflow
We used documentation drawings acquired from Ecole Francaise (Pondicherry), and used them for making the models. The model was made fully in Blender. Renders were taken through Blender, SketchUp, and Photoshop.
Left: Elevation of the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.The main temple was built during the 11th century CE and stood as the largest temple in the world for over five hundred years.
These inner walls are the pradakshina-patha, the path for circumambulation. The walls are filled with sculptures of Nandi, Shiva’s mount.
The main temple The pradakshina-patha The Gopuram
The Gopuram is the main gate to enter into the temple complex. The outer wall, built much later, also has a gopuram.
The Brihadisvara
2021-2022 (as part of a team; academic project)
Architecture
The temple was built in the Dravida style, which is unique to South India. It was the tallest temple in the subcontinent until the 16th century CE, when the Chaturbhuj Temple in Gujarat overtook it. The Bhojeshwara, if finished building, would have overtaken the Brihadisvara by almost twice its height.
The temple complex (containing the main shrine, other minor temples, and the inner wall & Gopuram) was made in the 11th century CE. An outer wall was constructed in the 17th century
Also known as the Dakshina Meru, this temple has the largest vimana and mandapas among the Great Living Chola Temples group.
The inner compound wall covers all four sides of the temple, and is commonly used by devotees for circumambulation.
Left: Isometric section of the Brihadisvara, Thanjavur, showing the plan and outline of the temple. Blue human figure for scale.
The Ramappa
2021 (collaboration with a historian)
Introduction
The Ramappa temple is a Kakatiya-era temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Mulugu, Telangana, India. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Architecture
The temple is built in the Kakatiya style, which has been shaped by centuries of evolution the Kalyani Chalukya architecture went through. This is visible in the bare shape of the temple- there is a repetition of elements, projecting them along a central axis.
The Collaboration
This recreation was one of two collaborations with historian Anirudh Kanisetti. This was done shortly after the announcement of the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The instagram post which this model was made for can be viewed here.
Workflow
We had taken old photos of the temple as reference, and an old plan we had found on the internet. The model was made in Blender, with renders done in SketchUp and Photoshop.
Left: Elevation and isometric view of the Ramappa Temple, Mulugu.The garba-griha
This is where the shiva-linga is situated, even today. Only the priests of the temple (and a select few) are allowed inside.
The Mukhamandapa
The Mukhamandapa was the part where devotees would see the idol from, and where people would gather. Part of this is inspired from the Bhumija style of architecture.
The Ramappa
Mulugu, 2021 (collaboration with a historian)
Architecture
The temple is built in the Kakatiya style, which has been shaped by centuries of evolution the Kalyani Chalukya architecture went through. This is visible in the bare shape of the temple- there is a repetition of elements, projecting them along a central axis.
The temple’s vimana consists of 5 tiers, each made up of pillar forms and roof-forms and organised so they appear to project out from the axes of symmetry.
The walls, however, are relatively free of ornamentation: the projections are more subdued, with a rhythm imparted through pillar-forms.
Left: Isometric section of the Ramappa Temple. The plan is visible, and a blue human figure is placed for scale.
Dharamshala
Bhubaneswar, 2020 (team work)
Introduction Architecture
The Doodhwawala Dharamshala is an inn for pilgrims in the Oldtown area of Bhubaneswar, near the Lingaraja Temple. It was built in the late 19th century. This documentation was done as part of a team for the Louis I Kahn Trophy, an annual competition conducted by the NASA (National Association for the Students of Architecture).
This Dharamshala was built in a European style, blended with elements of Rajasthani architecture, like corbels and such.
The Louis I Kahn Trophy
The Louis I Kahn Trophy is an annual competition hosted by NASA, in collaboration with INTACH, in honour of the architect. Each edition of the competition involves documenting a heritage building. In 2020, the theme was to document a building which were considered to be semi-religious. Not temples or churches directly, but structures which have a connection to these places.
The Doodhwawala
Left: Elevation of the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.
Dharamshala
av The Doodhwawala
Bhubaneswar, 2020 (team work)
Left: Elevation of the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.
The End. Thank you for reading!