Studies in Indian and South East Asian Art Prof. Bettina Baumer, Prof. Chirapat Prapandvidya, Prof. R.N Misra and Prof. Devendra Handa Tamil Arts Academy

11, 22nd Street Besant Nagar, Chennai, 600 090, India

nagaswamy@msn.com (044) 2491 6005 Madras 2006 First Felicitation Volume Art Secondary English 500 p 28 x 22 cm Rs. 3,200 / USD 80 The Volume Sahrdaya, consists of 26 memorable and penetrative, essays on Indian and South East Asian Art and Religion, by eminent Scholors from Austira, Germany, Italy, France, USA, Canada, Korea, Thailand, Combodia and Indonesia besides India, and focuses on some fundamental Religious thoughts and their manifestations in Art. It begins with an admirable study of Sun as Martanda who is identified with supreme Siva in the Advaitic Kashmir Saivism, through the text Samba Pancasika and its commentary by Kshemaraja. The book shows that the Kashmir Saiva system integrated the physical senses into spiritual life. The tradition of identifying the ruling monarch and consecrating him as Bhairava (Buddhist) and the over 12 feet high stone portrait of Adityavarman of Java, is studied. A comprehensive survey of Saivism in Thailand based on Archaeological and Epigraphical material, including the latest finds, form the subject of succeeding essays. Next is a study of the impact of original Mahabharata by sage Vyasa on sculptural portryal of different phases of Cambodian Art, as at Benteay Srei and Ankhor Vat. The Korean poeple's faith and adoration of Avalokitesvara (Buddhist) as the embodiment of compassion (Karuna) and his representation with 1000 arms are studied. The rare representation of birth of Siva Sadyojata as the child of Parvati, portrayed in Pala sculpture of Bangladesh draws our attention. The diffusion of Buddhism in trans Himalayan region is also dealt with. The role of different temple attendants in festivals during the Chola age in 10-13th cent, is afascinating fresh approach to the study of Relgion. With rare photographs, the life of Devadasis (dancing girls) in the 18th and 19th cent. as an aspect of Indian life is presented. The need to sutdy the living artist communities is stressed in another article. Deatiled studies in ancient Indian Janapadas, given in Mahabharata based on numismatic evidence; a crtical analysis of the theory of measuring images-Talamana; the evolution of temples of Central India; the diffusion of Bhikshatana iconography; a rare temple to vastu purusha are other important contributions on Art. Profusely illustrated, the volume is a collection of essays in honour of Dr. R.Nagaswamy, the well known Art Historian of India. RNLib 200 B&W; 70 Col 7 sahrdaya1.jpg sahrdaya_contents.xml illuminated by Two Rare Sanskrit Texts Sarva-Siddhanta-viveka and Jnana-siddhi Dr. R. Nagaswamy Tamil Arts Academy

11, 22nd Street Besant Nagar, Chennai, 600 090, India

nagaswamy@msn.com (044) 2491 6005 Madras 2006 First Sanskrit text included Art and religion Secondary English 320 p Rs. 2,800 / USD 70 28 x 21 cm A path breaking new approach to the study of Indian Art and Religion, this work bases its analysis on tow rare Sanskrit texts, Sarva-siddhanta-viveka, (Critical understanding of all religious systems) and Jnana-siddhi (Achievement of Knowledge), through which the meaning and identification of some of the immortal sculptures of India like Elephanta Trimurti are discussed. After introducing as many as thirty various schools of Saivism and "Sakta-Vamatantras", the date and authorship of the Sanskrit texts are detailed both from North and South Indian perspective. The Jnana-siddhi is an unkown Sakta-tantra while the other text is a 11th cent one giving extraordinary insight into various Saiva systems. No other text so far known gives such a detailed information on Bhairava, Kapalika, Kalamukha, Soma and other schools of Saivam as this one. Both the texts are given in original. The Svacchanda Bhairava tantra is cited extensively that gives a clear picture of Vama-Sakta ideology and Bhairava shcool of thought. It is seen that Madhya Pradesh (Central India) and other regions including Kashmir leaned very heavily on Bhairava worship and so their temples and sculptures need to be studied from that angle. The study also reinterprets and corrects many doubtful identifications of Tantric and other sculptures displayed in great museums of the world like USA, UK, Germany, France and other Western countries, and also Indian museums. All the revisions are based on texts and inscriptions. The art and history of the ancient city of Ujjaini, which seemded to have played a leading role in Bhairava Saivism is lucidly explained. With over 24 colur plates and over 100 black and white illustrations, the book revolutionzes the study of Monumental art of India and is a must for all Museums, Libraries and scholars on Indology. RNLib 100+ B&W; 24 Col bhairava.jpg South Indian Bronzes in the collection of Sarabhai Foundation Dr. R. Nagaswamy Sarabai Foundation

Shahibag, Ahemdabad - 380 004, India

(079) 2286 8172, 2286 5995 (079) 2286 5759 nagaswamy@msn.com Ahamedabad 2006 First Catelogue Art English 339 p 8.5 x 5.5 in This book on South Indian Bronzes in the Sarabhai Foundation captures the visual and aesthetic impact these outstanding images leave on the spectator. Serving as a catalogue, with textual and photographic studies, the work springs into space the different manifestations of Godhood that were devoutly visualized, aesthetically created, and spiritually experienced, in the early part of Pallava and Chola periods. South Indain Bronzes were made for festive worship and processions in the temples. They enlivened the people in their restpective regions, with poetry, music, dance and congregations in the daily, seasonal and annual cycles. Besides being perfect models of artistic expression, they went beyond to elevate the mind to experience a joy of becoming. Inspired by this classicism and acquired by Gautam Sarabhai, the collection in the Foundation represent the best of Pallava and Chola periods, and constitute rare and vaied forms. Ranked among the masterpieces of the world, some of these bronzes, like Tripura-vijaya, Uma, Rishi Patni, Mahesvari and the Royal figures, have been the source of delight of art connosseiurs the world over. They have appeared several times in Books and Journals, but his is the first time they appear collectively in one volume, in refreshingly original colour and angles. The book wil let in the viewer to experience the flavour of unforgettable beauty in an ideal setting. Dr. R. Nagaswamy the world known authority on South Indian Bronzes and the scholar of sound knowledge and understanding has prepared this catalogue from refreshingly new approach to known art history and with sensitivity to the inner content of each image in the collection. All in Col sarabai1.jpg