Dogra Legends of Art and Culture

Contents: Preface. 1. Land and People: i. Dogras. ii. Gaddis. 2. Folklore of Duggar: i. Dogri folk ballads. ii. Unsung heroes of ballads. iii. Local Gods and goddesses. iv. The God that cures--Chariana Devta. 3. Art and Architecture: i. Art of Chiselling stones. ii. Art of embroidery--Pahari Rumaals and Choulies. iii. Art of miniature paintings. iv. Jammu school of miniature paintings. v. Punchh style of miniatures. vi. Basohli school of paintings. vii. Mankote, another centre of Pahari painting. viii. Delicate touch of Kangra, paintings. ix. Miniature paintings of Guler school. x. Chamba school of miniature paintings. xi. Tantrik school of paintings. xii. Tradition of art of painting. xiii. Hands that created Pahari school of miniature paintings. xiv. Wall paintings. xv. Frescos, Jammu style. xvi. Sheesh Mahal of Ramnagar. xvii. Rang Mahal of Chamba. xviii. Architecture. xix. Strange temples of manwal. xx. Complex of Kirmichi temples. xxi. Enhancing castle by river side. xxii. Tara Palace--a castle in the valley. xxiii. Purmandal of Uttarkashi. xxvi. Airwan. 4. Cultural Institutions: i. Dogra art gallery. ii. Library of classics. 5. Legends of Dogra Valour: Mian Nath, Rup Chand, Man Singh, Raja Basu Dev, Jagat Singh Pathania, Chander Bhan, Raj Singh Chambial, Chanden Dev and Rattan Dev, Arjun Singh Chanasia, Mian Dido, Maharaja Gulab Singh, Raja Dhiyan Singh, Raja Suchet Singh, Raja Heera Singh, Ram Singh Pathania, Zorawar Singh, Baj Singh Jarnail, Bhag Ram. 6. Legends of Culture: i. Baba Jitto--A legendary farmer. ii. Dattu--A great poet. iii. Pt. Nath-- A great astrologer of 18th century. iv. Bawa Jamuna Das-- A Tantrik with miraculous powers. v. Pt. Jagdish Ved Pathi--A great scholar. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

"In this work, people and their social mannerism, Dogra monuments of art and culture besides legends of art and culture of this region have been discussed in detail for the first time. In addition, various schools of miniature paintings of hill style, prevalent in these erstwhile states, have also been discussed in detail along with biographical sketches of the master painters produced by this land. The folk culture of this region has remarkably been preserved. Rich heritage of its folk songs, dramas, elements of folk art like stone carving, straw-work, paintings, terracotta art are still preserved in thier purest forms. This work is based mostly on field studies, however, works already published in various fields have also been consulted with due reference.

"The work includes art, architecture, folk culture, legends of art, culture and valour of this region i.e. of the land and people living on both sides of the Ravi." (jacket)

[Ashok Jerath's books include The Folk Art of Duggar and Ripples in the Himalayas.]