The Udayarpalayam School of Stucco Art: A Study of a Unique Palayakarargal Architecture

This study presents a focused analysis of the stucco artwork of the Udayarpalayam Aranmanai, arguing for its recognition as a distinct and significant school of thought within the broader artistic traditions of the Nayaka period in Tamil Nadu. While Nayaka-era art is renowned for its monumental temple architecture and vibrant frescoes, the secular stucco work at Udayarpalayam represents an unexplored and highly localised craft tradition. Based on a primary analysis of surviving artworks on the façade walls of the palace courtyard and within the Natagasalai (Royal Entertainment Hall), this research deconstructs the unique material composition and construction techniques that define the Udayarpalayam school. The artisans' innovative use of indigenous materials and three-dimensional figures stands in stark contrast to the surface-oriented stucco work of their contemporaries. By examining the iconography of these figures, particularly the profusion of dancers and celestial beings, this study connects the art to the function of its architectural context and establishes the Udayarpalayam style as a vital, yet critically endangered, testament to the artistic patronage of the Palayakarargals.