Art Treasures of Unakoti, Tripura

Contents: Dedication. Preface. Maps: i. Places of historical importance in Tripura. ii. Map of Unakoti Tirtha showing locations of image and other establishments. 1. Introduction. 2. Site and its environment. 3. Historical survey and religious background. 4. Unakoti Tirtha at a glance. 5. Iconography of the sculptures at Unakoti. 6. Loose sculptures reported from Unakoti area. 7. Rock cut art of Unakoti. Conclusion. Glossary. Select bibliography. Index.

"Unakoti in North Tripura has the singular distinction in possessing colossal rock cut sculptures having extra ordinary tribal features and thus formed a class by themselves. The artistic activities in that particular place (Unakoti) began in 8-9 century A.D. centering around the Unakoti stream, which originates there and venerated by the ancient people of the region as sacred as Ganges and Varanasi (Banares) in North India.

More than a dozen sculptures of Brahmanical deities existing there resembles the Pala art of Bengal of 8-10 century A.D. A group of artists of the post Pala era (2-13 century A.D.) carved colossal busts of Siva in bold relief on the vertical western face of the hill highlighting Jata Mukuta, Trinetra (third eye) but having moustaches and open mouth exhibiting teeth chiseled with square shapes, an amalgamation of both traditional and tribal features and one is to look at them with awe and wonder.

The author have tried to explain in details with emphasis on the sculptures to evaluate their cultural and historical importance." (jacket)