1989/10/01 by Janet Dewan · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Anthropological Studies and Insights #Temple #Sculpture #Art #Photography #Banner #Capital (architecture) #Art history #Ancient history #Visual arts #Presidency #History #Archaeology #Law #Politics
paper · doi:10.1080/03087298.1989.10441009
published in History of Photography 13(4), 343-354 (Taylor & Francis)
openalex publication_date 1989/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
“Whilst travelling through the Madras Presidency towards the close of 1856”, wrote Richard Banner Oakeley, I was strongly recommended by myoid friend, Dr. Neill, of the 1st Madras Light Cavalry, to visit Hallibeede, the site of Dhoor Summooder, the ancient Capital of Bellal Deo, the Sovereign of the Carnatic. I was told of a wonderful temple said to exist there, but very few of the many from whom I sought information, knew anything about it, and it was with very great difficulty, and after a march of some twenty days along the most miserable cross country roads conceivable, that I succeeded in finding this splendid Temple. Having seen a great number of the most celebrated Pagodas in the South of India, I can unhesitatingly assert, it far surpasses any, even the most gorgeous of these beautiful structures . . .. Having a Photographic Apparatus with me, I lost no time in committing to waxed paper faithful representations of almost every portion of the sculpture, which literally covers its walls.1