Rallabandi
Subba Rao Archaeological Museum
This museum is maintained by the state archaeological
Department , Andhra Pradesh, The collection pertains mainly to the Godavari
Districts and its surrounding areas .The museum is located closely on the banks
of Godavari river and in the heart of the Rajahmundry town.
It is named after a forgotten Telugu
archaeologist Late Mr. Rallabandi Subba rao. There is no signage board or publication
available about late Mr. Subba Rao at the museum. It is disappointing for all
those people who are desirous to know more about him. However there is a
beautifully caved marble bust of this scholar inside the gallery.
In photographing this collection
of bronzes ( vijayanagara and latter period) I am forced to use Flash/Auto mode,
owing to my lack of knowledge in shooting in manual mode and also I did not
have access to professional photographer. The patina and textural effects of
the metal sculptures do not confirm to original sculptures as the images have
been photoshopped to get better clarity. But friends and students could
appreciate the artefacts unique ornamentation, linearity and rhythm in this
ancient art works.
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| Somaskanda |
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| Somaskanda |
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| Vijayanagara Copper plate inscriptions |
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| Parasurama, (wood) |
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| Linga( base) |
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| Linga( base) |
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| Kurma, Bronze,18 Century AD |
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| Rama, Bronze,17 Century AD |
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| Head of Shiva, wood, painted |
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| Srudevi,18 Century AD |
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| Bhudevi |
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| Bhudevi |
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| Parvati,Bronze 12 Century AD |
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| Parvati, Bronze |
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| Hanuman, Bronze, 15 Century Ad |
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| Harithi_5 CenturyAD_Terracotta |
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| lakshman, Bronze |
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| Lakshmi narayana, bronze |
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| mahavira |
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| Rama, Bronze 17 Ccentury AD |
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Tara, Bronze, Nepal ( 16 Century AD)
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| Uma maheswara, bronze |
A life Sized wooden statue of a
nude lady is a major attraction in the gallery. This could be classified as tribal
sculpture from Maharashtra.(19 century). This attractive wooden sculpture found
its way to Rajahmundry from tribal regions of Maharashtra by floating in the
Godavari River during the heavy floods. The conservation staff at the museum
gave a coat of varnish to the wooden sculpture. The sculpture is now strong,
sturdy and is well preserved.
I have included a few photographs
of river Godavari, life of people, and other scenes of which I shot while
approaching the museum.
Srinivas(29-April-2013)
Camp:Rajahmundry.
