From soaring temple towers called Gopurams to the exquisite bronzes that travelled with monks across empires and even resonating with symbolic Sengol with signifies the tradition of righteous rule, the legacy of Great Cholas (6th- 12th century CE) is truly intangible and very much relevant to contemporary times.

Achievements of Great Cholas in Art:

1. Bronze Sculptures: Figures of Shiva and his forms , consort Parvati , Vishnu and Nayanmar saints showed classic grace and grandeur , notable being Nataraja bronzes wherein Shiva is depicted in Bhujangatrashita dance pose.
2. Stone Sculptures: Apart from religious themes, the inner sanctum of temples has portraits of kings and queens depicted in stone for example statue of Rajaraja Chola I at Brihadeshwara Temple, Tanjavur.
3. Paintings: Chola murals on inner walls of temples , wood etc depicted Shiva and Vishnu in various forms for example at Tanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram.
4. Music and Dance: Alvar and Nayanmar hymns were sung for example from Nathamuni’s Nalayira Divya Prabandam. Rajaraja and Rajendra Chola were great patrons of music and dance.  Bharatnatyam and Kathakali dance forms were prevalent.
5. Political symbol- Senghol: A gold plated silver sceptre was sacred symbol of transfer of power among chola kings represented principle of just and fair rule has come in light in recent inaugration of new parliament building.

Achievements of Great Cholas in Architecture:

1. Dravidian Temple style: with pyramidal vimanas, elaborate gopurams and extensive hallways called mandapas, reached it’s climax under Great Cholas. For example Brihaeshwara Temple (Tanjavur), Airavateshwara temple (Darasuram) and Gangaikondacholapuram temple.
2. Building materials : Use of Granite stone extensively rather than brick made structures durable and grander for example at Tanjavur.
3. Panchayatan Style Layout: in Chola temple the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, creating a holistic design.
4. Octagonal shikaras mounted on top of vimana were a marvel of engineering work.
5. Civil Infrastructure: Such as sluice gates, irrigation projects , canal systems, roads and bridges were also built. for example Kallanai Dam.
6. Influence beyond empire: Chola maritime and cultural contacts influenced temple construction in Southeast Asia, evident in places like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia.

Although Cholas are long gone their legacy continued in medieval times in Vijayanagara Art and Architecture and upto contemporary times where it continues to inspire us both as principle of just power and as material grandeur in temples.