The Beginning, and the Conclusion, is a two-part Indian Telugu epic film directed by S.S.Rajamouli and penned by V.Vijayandraprasad. The concept of Baahubali safeguards society from impending foes and catastrophic events in antiquity. He was inspired to study this subject by his fascination with the Mahabharata and stories about Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama. Throughout the Bahubali film series, kshatriyatva is emphasised, with three bloodlines of Bahubali described as desiring to serve the people selflessly. As one of Indian cinema’s most triumphant two-part films, Baahubali has gained a noteworthy following.

Let’s get straight to the point: Baahubali is a work of fiction. Indian mythologies, Amar Chitra and Chandamama comics inspired the film’s director and writer. Past epics similarly influence the characters, war strategies, and kingdom of the movie Baahubali.

The Orvakal Rock Gardens | Review of Bahubali

The film production began in 2013 at Orvakal Rock Gardens in Kurnool. In this natural landscape, long, flowing bodies of water are surrounded by regal rock formations. During a scene in which Sivagami instructs Baahubali and Balaladeva to capture the spy who stole the kingdom’s enigmas and straining to trade them to Kalakeya’s domain, the spy jumps from a mountain where he sees no escape and the rock gardens blend in seamlessly within the frame as Baahubali jumps back to catch him. According to the scene, the location appears to be a hot, sunny desert place where there is a possibility of chasing the antagonist’s spy.

An architectural review of Bahubali - Sheet1
jumping from the mountain scene in the Baahubali: the beginning ©ARKA media
An architectural review of Bahubali - Sheet2
Review of Bahubali, Orvakal Rock Gardens in Kurnool ©Sookshmatech
An architectural review of Bahubali - Sheet3
Sketch of orvakal rock garden formation ①The garden ②Artificial sculptures park ③miniature grand canyon ④Boating ©2019 AP Tourism Authority

As can be seen in Baahubali: the conclusion, the same shooting spot in Kurnool was used during the filming of Baahubali and Devisena’s expulsion; they are moved in with the villagers to settle among them. In the song Dandaalayyaa, villagers work with Baahubali to enhance the area. As shown in the above picture, the numbers 2 and 3 marks were the areas the shooting had taken place. The entire area resembled how the villagers lived concerning where Baahubali lived before. In the above image, numbers 2 and 3 indicate where the shooting occurred. A king like Baahubali settles well with the people and surrounding regions. According to Baahubali, he strives to develop the settlement with the help of nearby objects and accessible mechanisms to improve living conditions.

An architectural review of Bahubali - Sheet4
BAAHUBALI 2 – Dandalayya Song Enviournment look ©DEV
An architectural review of Bahubali - Sheet5
Screenshots of Dandaalayyaa song in Baahubali 2 shot at orvakal rock garden

In the Fictitious City Of Mahishmati

In writing about Baahubali, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘JAI MAHISHMATI’. Mahishmati kingdom was a fictional creation, but it was modelled on ancient cities such as Ayodhya in the Ramayana, Indraprastha and Mayasabha in the Mahabharata. The effort went into creating the ideological fantasy world of Mahishmati by director Rajamouli, production designer Sabu Cyril, and concept designer Viswanath Sundaram. The step was phenomenal despite the challenges of recreating archaic existence in a film. The magnificence of each shot is an awe-inspiring experience for someone who has seen Bahubali films. A look at Mahishmati’s architecture reveals that it is unique, far beyond what we can comprehend or capture. It transcends the visually stunning architecture found in urban areas. In addition to being outstandingly captivating and well-protected, these palaces contain several sensational compartments to behold. Bahubali’s war ways, outfits, and rites all bear the imprint of history and legends. As a result, we should acknowledge the architecture of ancient cities, political systems, and security standards in our history and folklore at that time.

In general, today’s young generation is more cosmopolitan than previous generations. According to historical reports of ancient cities, ancient societies had a plunging wisdom of architecture, science, arts, and aesthetics. The current state of research and discoveries inspires this direction, and films such as Baahubali vividly describe the grandeur of time immemorial. Let’s look at the architecture behind the two-part series of Baahubali.

The Mahishmati Empire

Review of Bahubali, Prince Shivudu raging towards the Mahishmati kingdom ©Parvaze Zahi

In the above image, Prince Shivudu appears to be raging against the Mahishmati Empire to extricate Devasena from King Balaladeva. Mahishmati kingdom showcases superior architecture and a heavy industry empire that governs many ecoregions and colonial states. This image allows us to see the empire’s distant view as the city was built on a hilltop in an organised hierarchy with enormous and giant sculptures enveloping it. Observing closely, we can see a strong influence of mixed- architecture. On the mountainous stairs, colonies are distributed from top to bottom, surrounded by a big barrier of fortifications. A river circles Mahishmati’s city; nearby forests provide a desert-like backdrop. West of the city and across the river are battlegrounds. Mahishmati’s colonial kingdoms and villages are to the north, which includes Kuala-the territory of Devasena. The Kathari, Surani, and Kalakeya people live to the south.

Gateways to The City.

Primary gateway details ©Viswanath Sundaram

Any kingdom entering Mahishmati will use the eastern edge of the Battle Grounds as their main entry route. Upon closer examination, we observe that giant elephant statues were placed near the entranceway, representing positivity and fortune. Vastu shastra says elephants with their trunks up are symbols of power and protection. In the upper part of the elephant statues are ancient guard rooms/security areas. The upper structure shows Cambodian temple architecture mixed with cubism forms. Between the various spaces, giant bells were placed that, when rung by guards, alert other guards in different locations that someone had entered the kingdom. As far back as those days, a lever-pulley gate was the main entry point allowed to open and close at specific times each day and sometimes by order of the King.

Royal’s Temple | Review of Bahubali

3D structure of the temple © Srikar Guntoju, and screenshot of song Mamatala Talli song in Baahubali 1

Sabu Cyril designs an actual life-size temple set in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. This Shiva temple is situated within the internal complex, near the places of kings and royalty. As there are no walls in this temple, only seven columns belt it, and there is a spacious area for priests to conduct daily rituals and enough space for kings, queens, and princes to perform the pooja, exalting the image of openness to worship the god, as their orderlies and assistants stand back from them so they can have a clear view of how the prayers have functioned. When closely observed, there is a substantial similarity between the white Shiva linga and the idea of harmony.

King’s Throne

Review of Bahubali, Set of King’s throne ©Ramojifilmcity.com / Film maker

The King’s throne is in the central square, where the royals and ministers conduct public meetings, make important announcements, and conduct festival activities.

It is possible to view the elaborate structures of the Mahishmati Kingdom at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where there is a broad set of the King’s coronation. The King’s throne is on the central square, from which the royals and ministers conduct general public meetings, share important announcements and conduct festival activities. Starting with a taller base, a king’s throne is arranged in descending order, with the five beds stacked on each other. A king’s chair is positioned on the fifth bed, which feels made of stone due to its built-in structure. It is possible to view the elaborate systems of the Mahishmati Kingdom at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where there is a broad set of the King’s coronation. The King’s throne is on the central square, from which the royals and ministers conduct general public meetings, share important announcements and conduct festival activities. Starting with a taller base, a king’s throne is arranged in descending order, with the five beds stacked on each other. A king’s chair is positioned on the fifth bed, which feels made of stone due to its built-in structure. The structure is shaped like a chariot, with wheels carved onto its sides and straight seeding steps extending to the King’s seat around the elevated base.

References: Review of Bahubali

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