Author: M S Randhawa
D S Randhawa/
Publisher: Vakils, Freffer & Simons
Year: 1985
Language: English
Pages: 368
ISBN/UPC (if available): N/A
Description
This book provides an introduction to the best specimens of Indian sculpture in stone in simple language and readers will be able to enjoy them without being baffled by scholastic jargon used by many art historians.
Indians have made a contribution to world art in their sculpture which can only be paralleled by the Greeks. Like the Indian, the Greeks were also idol worshippers and in their gods and goddesses they created images of beauty and majesty. The ideals of Greek and Indian art are however different. Spiritual contemplation is the keynote of Indian art and Indian sculpture is idealistic, symbolic and transcendental.
Unlike the Greeks, the ideal of manly beauty which the Indian sculptor set before himself was not hat the muscular athlete, but of the yogi in meditation. This was so as the Hindus and Buddhists used the arts as instruments for the spiritual and intellectual improvement of the people and not merely for sensual pleasure. Their ideal of female beauty was in the heavenly apsaras whose figures are charmingly natural and full of feminine grace.
Lavishly illustrated, this work, in large format provides a panoramic view of the great sculptures of India from the second century B C to the eighteenth century A D. The authors in an extremely readable and facile style have described the religious and artistic significance of sculptures in the north, south, east and western parts of India which flourished under the patronage of different dynasties of rulers over a period of nearly 2000 years.
Indian contribution to Sculpture in the world is monumental. This book profusely illustrated with photographs gives intimate glimpses of this great contribution.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER I
The Background of Indian Art
CHAPTER II
The Human Ideal in Indian Sculpture
CHAPTER III
The Birth of Buddhism
CHAPTER IV
The Sungas
CHAPTER V
The Satavahanas (Andhras)
CHAPTER VI
The Ikshvakus
CHAPTER VII
Kushan
CHAPTER VIII
Graeco-Buddhist
CHAPTER IX
The Rock-cut Buddhist Sanctuaries in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, Karla, Bhaja and Kanheri
CHAPTER X
Gupta
CHAPTER XI
Vakatakas
CHAPTER XII
The Western Chalukyas
CHAPTER XIII
Pallavas and Early Pandyas
CHAPTER XIV
Rashtrakutas
CHAPTER XV
Elephanta
CHAPTER XVI
Pala and Sena Dynasties of Eastern India
CHAPTER XVII
The Cholas
CHAPTER XVIII
Salastambha
CHAPTER XIX
Orissa
CHAPTER XX
Madhya Pradesh
CHAPTER XXI
Eastern Ganga (Orissa)
CHAPTER XXII
Hoysala
CHAPTER XXIII
Rajput Kingdoms of Northern India
CHAPTER XXIV
Gujarat and Rajasthan
CHAPTER XXV
The Vijayanagar Empire
CHAPTER XXVI
Dravidian Temples of Southern India
A Review of Studies in Indian Art and Architecture
Select Bibliography
Index