Mention the distinctive features of Dravida style and discuss how it developed under the Pallavas and Cholas describing the architecture of one temple of each dynasty.

South India carried on the classical tradition of Dravida style as transmitted by the Pallava dynasty of rulers to the Cholas of Gangaikonda Cholapuramand the Pandyas of Madurai.
• The two common characteristics of the Dravida style were that the temples of this style had more than 4 sides in the sanctum and, the tower (Vimana) of these temples was pyramidal.
• It consisted of multiplication of storey after storey and slightly reduced in extent than the one below.
The Shore temple of Mahabalipuram is a complex of 3 shrines with accessory Mandapas, Prakara-enclosures and Gopura entrances. Of the three, the larger Vimana facing the sea on the east and the smaller Vimana at its rear facing the village in the west, are both dedicated to Siva and have wedged in between them a rectangular Mandapa shrine without a superstructure. This temple was built by Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha of the Pallava dynasty.
The Great Living Chola Temples are temples built during the Chola rule in the south of India and neighbouring islands. These sites includes 3 temples of 11th and 12th century. These 3 temples are Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur,, Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.