The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The question pertains to the Chola bronze sculptures, specifically the Kalyanasundara murti found in the Thanjavur region. Chola bronzes are renowned for their elegance, dynamic movement, and humanistic depiction of deities, created using the Cire Perdue (lost-wax) technique.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The famous bronze image of Kalyanasundara from the Thanjavur region is dated to the 9th century. It belongs to the early Chola period, a time when bronze casting reached its zenith in South India.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Kalyanasundara murti depicts the Panigrahana (marriage ceremony) of Shiva and Parvati. However, it is not a single unified image (like Ardhanarishvara, where two deities share one body). Instead, it is a composition comprising two separate figures standing side by side-Shiva holding Parvati's hand.
- Statement 3 is Correct: In this sculpture, the artistic rendering focuses on the human emotions of the deities. Parvati is depicted with a bashful expression, keeping her head slightly down, and her posture suggests hesitation or movement (taking a step forward) as she is led by Shiva. This portrayal of human emotion in divine figures is a hallmark of Chola art.
Key Takeaway:
Kalyanasundara refers to the iconographic depiction of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. In Chola bronzes, this is typically a group composition of distinct figures, unlike composite forms like Ardhanarishvara (Lord who is half-woman) or Harihara.