Facets of South Indian Art and Architecture (2 Vols-Set)

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Vol. I: I. The beginnings: 1. Temples of village Gods. 2. Dolmens: hero stones. 3. Art of the Sangam age. 4. Karur antiquities. 5. Temporal seat of authority in rural and urban settlements. 6. Agama and village layout. II. Saiva traditions: 7. Iconography of a Siva temple (Vyapohana Stava). 8. Chidambara Natam. 9. The festival of dancing Siva (Nataraja and Kalamukhas). 10. Saiva sub-sects. 11. Chidambaram and Bengal. 12. Sankara on Pasupatas. 13. Nadanta Tandava and Urdhva Saivas. 14. Thirumandiram and Kashmir Saivam. 15. State of Saivism in the 11 century A.D. 16. Ksetrapala. 17. Virupaksha and Hazara Rama in coins. III. Temple arts: 18. The temple (Chidambaram). 19. Thiruppalanam: Pallava Chola transitional temple. 20. Chola temples. 21. Vijayanagara Nayak temples.

Vol. II: IV. Sakta traditions: 22. Worship of Sakti in Tamil Nadu. 23. Lalita Tripurasundari. 24. Sri Cakkarayi. 25. Purnagiri, the Tantrapitha. 26. Sankara on 64 Yogini and Bhuta worship. V. Sculptural art: 27. Synthesis in sculptural art. 28. Pallava influence on Chalukya art. 29. Jain art under the Pallavas. 30. Jainism under Cholas. 31. Pallava influence on Pandyan art. 32. Art of the Pandyas. VI. Bronzes: 33. Landmarks in dating Tamil bronzes. 34. Chola bronzes. 35. Tripurantaka or Kirata? 36. Vijayanagara Nayak bronzes. VII. Paintings and jewellery: 37. A survey of Tamil paintings. 38. Maratha’s contribution. 39. The Indian pictures of Governor Peter Anker. 40. Temple jewellery. 41. Renovation at what cost? Glossary. Bibliography.

"The book Facets of South Indian Art and Architecture is a stimulative and perceptive survey of different aspects of South Indian art, architecture, history and culture. It provides unparalleled source of insight into South Indian civilization containing a detailed account of archaeological and artistic data and incorporating the latest researches on the subject.

Divided into two volumes, the book contains essays on important aspects of South Indian art and architecture, grouped under the following seven major headings: (1) The beginnings, (2) Saiva traditions, (3) Temple art and architecture, (4) Sakta traditions, (5) Sculptural art, (6) Bronzes and (7) Paintings, jewels, etc. Each heading includes a number of self-contained articles discussed under a chronological framework. Fresh evidences in known subjects are marshalled and new aspects are outlined and each subject is provided a firm basis and viewed from a refreshingly original angle. Each study could be pursued individually or as a part of the whole for a proper understanding of South Indian art and architecture.

Perceptive, insightful and selective, the book is an indispensable reference tool. The unusual variety of the subject and the notable richness of illustrations combine to make this a work of endless fascination. The book will prove to be an invaluable asset not only to the academicians, art-historians, archaeologists, orientalists, researchers and libraries but also to the lay readers." (jacket)