Early Chola Art in South India covers the art and architectural styles of South India, where one can find the art in temples dealing with mythology, ancient literature, epics and science.

Pallava Art in South India
Pallava dynasty ruled the Southern part of India, in between the 3rd and 9th centuries. Pallava Dynasty in South India was the first recognisable South Indian dynasty who indulged in the pursuit of art and architectural innovations. The temples and the monuments erected during the time of Pallava rule are now the examples of art and architecture.

Pallavas Dynasty in South India was active in the changeover from rock-cut architecture to stone temples. Earlier the rock cut temples were dominant in this region. The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610 to 690 AD and structural temples between 690 to 900 AD. A number of rock-cut cave temples bear the inscription of the Pallava king, Mahendravarman I and his successors.

The greatest excellence of the Pallava architecture is the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram. There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic shrines known as rathas in Mahabalipuram. Early ancient and early medieval temples were mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva. Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple built by Narasimhavarman II, rock cut temple in Mahendravadi by Mahendravarman are fine examples of the Pallava style temples.

The temple of Nalanda Gedige in Kandy, Sri Lanka is another example of art and architecture. The famous Tondeswaram temple of Tenavarai and the ancient Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee were patronized and structurally developed by the Pallavas in the 7th century.

Dravidian Temple Architecture in South India
The first seeds of Dravidian temple architecture in Tamil Nadu were possibly sown during this period. The temple architecture of Dravidian temple evolved from the early cave temples and monolith temples of Mamallapuram to the Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples of Kanchipuram. This architecture style of the Dravidan art formed the foundation of Chola Dynasty who were in close contact with the Pallavas during their periods of decline.

Early Chola Art
The early Chola Dynasty built the numerous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva. Aditya I and Parantaka I were prolific builders for their faith. The inscriptions of Aditya I record that he built a number of Hindu temples along the banks of the Kaveri River. These Hindu temples were much smaller in comparison to the huge colossal structures of the later Cholas and were probably brick structures rather than stone.

Vijayala Choleswaram
Vijayala Choleswaram near Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu is an instance of a surviving early Chola building. The style of this Chola building structure clearly shows Pallava influences in the design. It has an unusual arrangement of a circular garba griha, where the deity resides within a square prakara - circumbulatory corridor. Above this rises the vimana or the tower in four diminishing storeys of which the lower three are square and the top circular. Each level is separated from the next by a cornice. The whole structure of the temple is surmounted by a dome which in turn is topped with a stone kalasa - a crest.

Paintings of Chola Art
Very faint traces of paintings can be seen inside on the walls. These paintings are dated not earlier than the 17th century.

Koranganatha Temple
Koranganatha Temple at Srinivasanallur near "Hirapalli" is an example of the period of Parantaka I. Koranganatha Temple at Srinivasanallur is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, and is a small temple with beautiful sculptures on every surface. The base of the wall has a row of sculpted mythical animals that were a unique feature of Chola example architecture. The first floor of Koranganatha Temple is made of bricks which have been plastered.

Muvarkovil Temple
Muvarkovil Temple of three, also in the Pudukkottai area was built by a feudatory of Parantaka Chola II during the second half of the tenth century. As the name suggests, the temple complex of Muvarkovil Temple has three main shrines standing side by side in a row, along the north-south direction, facing west. Out of these three, only two, the central and southern vimanams, which are the towers are now extant. Of the third or the northern shrine, the basement alone remains. The architectural style of the temples exhibits clear concordance with the later Chola temples.