Award: Documentary Award

Time: October 14, 2005
Place: Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India

Five kilometers south of Warangal lay the core area of the Kakatiyas. The Kakatiyas derived their name from their family deity--Goddess Kakati or Durga. Sweeping out of some small provinces in the early IIth century, the Kakaiyas had been rising. In the 12^th century, King Rudradeva started construction of this impregnable Warangal Fort in the 12th century When the capital had to be shifted from Hanamankonda. It was further extended by his nephew and successor, Ganapati Deva and was finally completed by princess rudramma-daughter of Ganapati Deva. The fort has an embattlement of a very deep and high mud vvall fortified inside with massive blocks of stone joined together. Rudramma had further strengthened defence of the fort with a deep and wide moat surrounding the double wall.

Centuries of fierce weathering could not fade their mirror-like gloss nor erode the relief and texture. Its four massive torans, however, still stand erect. Plundered and devastated by Ibrahim Qutab Shah, the remains of the imposing temple exhibit until this day the excellence of Kakatiya architectural art. Impeccable delicate sculptures in black basalt on ornamental doorways, perforated stone lattice with repetitions of decorative patterns and motifs depicting unusual animal forms, Yali, vibrant leonine figures and graceful swans with swirling tail feathers, the insignia of the dynasty, are all an amazing experience for the viewer.