Art and Architecture Under Nayak
The Noyaks Followed Vijayanagar style. Many existing temples were expanded with additional structure, Gopurams andmandapams. The contributions of viswanatha Nayak, Thirumalai Nayak and Rani Mangammal to the development of art and architecture are more appreciated. Madurai was promoted as temple city and also as the city of art and architecture. Rajagopuram of Meenakshi temple, Nayak mahal, Mangammal choultry, Pudu mandapam, 1000 Pillars mandapams. Huge gopuras, Prakaras are some of the best examples of Nayaks art and architecture, Srivilliputhur Andal temple, Krishnapuram, Thiruvenkata nathar temple, Srirangam temple and Nellaiyappar temple are some of the good models of the Nayak’s art and architecture.
The Art of drawing and painting was improved. Paintings at Meenakshi temple are very famous, The ceilings of the mandapa and side walls were beautifully painted with scenes from Ramayanam and Mahabharatham.
The social and cultural impacts of Vijayanagar Empire were reflected in the social and cultural Conditions in the Tamil country under the Nayak’s rule. The new administrative measures followed by the Nayak rulers had led to the introduction of many new social, economic and religious styles in the Nayak society. These new systems lasted even after the Nayak’s rule. The Nayaks of Madurai, Tanjore, Ginjee and Vellore contributed much for the social and cultural development of Tamil Country. Impact of the Nayaks rule and their contributions are very much appreciated in the history of Tamil Nadu.