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From
the Publisher
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, (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 marshaled 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.
Author Description
Vidyavacaspati, Dr. R. Nagaswamy (1930): Master of
Arts in Sanskrit Language and Literature from the University
of Madras, Dr. Nagaswamy obtained doctorate degree from the
Deccan College, Poona under Dr. H.D. Sankalia. He joined the
Government Museum, Madras as the Curator for Art and
Archaeology in 1959 and became the first Director of
Archaeology of Tamil Nadu in 1966, in which capacity he served
for 23 years, till his retirement in 1998. He also served as
the first Vice-Chancellor of the Kanchipuram University. Later
he became the National Consultant for Multimedia Documentation
of Cultural Property under UNESCO programme of the Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi.
A multifaceted personality, Dr. Nagaswamy has specialized
in Art, History, Archaeology, Epigraphy, Conservation, Agamic
and Religious History, Ancient Law and Society, Numismatics,
Classical Music and Dance. Along with Dr. Kapila Vatsyayana,
he started the now world famous Chidambaram Natyanjali
Festival. He has also produced several dance dramas, some of
which were televised and broadcast several times. On behalf of
the Government of India, Dr. Nagaswamy appeared in the London
High Court as an Expert Witness in the London Nataraja case,
and was mainly responsible for winning the case.
Dr. Nagaswamy has conducted excavations at places like the
Chola capital of Gangaikondacholapuram, Karur, Alagankulam and
Korkai. He was the first to initiate underwater archaeological
exploration at Pumpuhar in Tamil Nadu in collaboration with
Oceanographic Survey of Goa. He is the leading authority today
on South Indian Bronzes and has published over twenty-five
books including Masterpieces of South Indian Bronzes, Siva
Bhakti, Tamil Nadu, Ancient Tamil Law and Society, and others.
A recipient of several public honours, Dr. Nagaswamy was
conferred the title of "Kalaimamani" by the Government of
Tamil Nadu for his contribution to Art and Culture.
Contents
|
Preface |
v |
|
Introduction |
ix |
|
List of Illustrations |
xiii |
|
VOLUME I |
|
| SECTION I: |
THE BEGINNINGS |
|
| 1. |
Temples of Village Gods |
3 |
| 2. |
Dolmens: Hero Gods |
10 |
| 3. |
Art of the Sangam Age |
32 |
| 4. |
Karur Antiquities |
42 |
| 5. |
Temporal Seat of Authority in Rural and Urban
Settlements |
51 |
| 6. |
Agama and Village Layout |
62 |
| SECTION II: |
SAIVA TRADITIONS |
|
| 7. |
Iconography of a Siva Temple
(Vyapohana Stava) |
71 |
| 8. |
Chidambara Natam |
77 |
| 9. |
The Festival of Dancing Siva
(Nataraja & Kalamukhas) |
84 |
| 10. |
Saiva Sub-sets |
92 |
| 11. |
Chidambaram and Bengal |
98 |
| 12. |
Sankara on Pasupatas |
112 |
| 13. |
Nadanta Tandava and Urdhva Saivam |
122 |
| 14. |
Thirumandiram and Kashmir Saivam |
131 |
| 15. |
State of Saivism in the 11th Century A.D. |
139 |
| 16. |
Ksetrapala |
148 |
| 17. |
Virupaksha and Hazara Rama in Coins |
158 |
| SECTION III: |
TEMPLE ARTS |
|
| 18. |
The Temple (Chidambaram) |
163 |
| 19. |
Thiruppalanam: Pallava Chola Transitional Temple |
169 |
| 20. |
Chola Temples |
173 |
| 21. |
Vijayanagara Nayak Temples |
189 |
|
VOLUME II |
|
| SECTION IV: |
SAKTA TRADITIONS |
|
| 22. |
Worship of Sakti in Tamil Nadu |
205 |
| 23. |
Lalita Tripurasundari |
208 |
| 24. |
Sri Cakkarayi |
215 |
| 25. |
Purnagiri, The Tantrapitha |
222 |
| 26. |
Sankara on 64 Yogini and Bhuta Worship |
227 |
| SECTION V: |
SCULPTURAL ART |
|
| 27. |
Synthesis in Sculptureal Art |
237 |
| 28. |
Pallava Influence on Chalukya Art |
241 |
| 29. |
Jain Art under the Pallavas |
245 |
| 30. |
Jainism under Cholas |
251 |
| 31. |
Pallava Influence on Pandyan Art |
255 |
| 32. |
Art of the Pandyas |
260 |
| SECTION VI: |
BRONZES |
|
| 33. |
Landmarks in Dating Tamil Bronzes |
271 |
| 34. |
Chola Bronzes |
282 |
| 35. |
Tripurantaka or Kirata ? |
293 |
| 36. |
Vijayanagara Nayak Bronzes |
300 |
| SECTION VII: |
PAINTINGS AND JEWELLERY |
|
| 37. |
A Survey of Tamil Paintings |
309 |
| 38. |
Maratha's Contribution |
323 |
| 39. |
The Indian Pictures of Governor Peter Anker |
332 |
| 40. |
Temple Jewellery |
335 |
| 41. |
Renovation at What Cost? |
340 |
|
Glossary |
345 |
|
Bibliography |
359 |
|
