Art, Architecture, Antiquities

Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva

Three descriptive essays and numerous fascinating photographs, taken

especially for this volume, allow the reader to experience a major monument

of Indian art: the sixth century temple cave on Elephanta Island, in Bombay

harbor, and its extraordinary stone sculptures. The authors and the

photographer capture the atmosphere of the cave and the spirit of the

sculptures, which portray the relentless energy and paradoxical power of

Shiva, greatest of all Hindu gods. The photographs are particularly

successful in revealing the dramatic alternation of light and dark that is

so much a part of the beauty of the cave’s interior. Ms. Berkson’s trained

and loving eye picks out the subtleties of the main sculptures and humorous

details that the visitor might miss even on the site.

In the text Wendy O’Flaherty interprets the myths of Shiva depicted in the

sculpture; Ms. berkson’s essay supplies historical background and a

stylistic analysis; and George Michell examines the overall structure of

the cave to show that it is a mandala-like image of the heavenly mountain

residence of Shiva and even of the structure of the universe itself.

“The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be

congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta.”

Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand

Vedic Research Institute,Vol.I, Dec.2002

Residential Architecture in Bhoja’s Samaranganasutradhara: Introduction, Text, Translation and Notes

The Samaranganasutradhara, composed in the 11th century and commonly attributed to King Bhoja of Dhara, is one of the most remarkable silpasastras of northern India. Consisting of more than seven thousand slokas, it contains not only detailed descriptions of temples, but also a comprehensive exposition of residential architecture. This book is an annotated translation of the central passages on residential architecture accompanied by a study of the Samaranganasutradharaês sources, the problem of authorship, and related matters. It is rounded off by a comprehensive glossary of technical terms and illustrations.

Silparatnakosa of Sthapaka Niranjana Mahapatra: A Glossary of Orissan Temple Architecture

The Silparatnakosa is a 17th century Orissan text composed by Sthapaka Niranjana Mahapatra describing all the parts of the temple types of Orissa such as the Manjusri and Khakara. It also contains a section on sculpture on image-making (Pratimalaksana). This text though much later than the temples described reflects the still living tradition and it contributes much to clarify the terminology of Orissan temple architecture. The text has been edited from three palmleaf MSS and translated with numerous illustrations.

Silpa Prakasa by Ramacandra Mahapatra Kaula Bhattaraka: Medieval Orissan Sanskrit text on temple Architecture

“The Silpa Prakasais an important addition to the existing literature on Indian Silpa Texts.” the text goes into a great detail of the architecture, the iconography and the symbolism of all the parts of the temple. Its unique contribution lies in the description of Yantras or symbolic diagrams underlying the architecture as well as sculpture. This edition will be extremely valuable for understanding not only temple construction but the entire symbolism underlying the unique temples of Orissa.

Vastu: Astrology and Architecture: (Papers presented at the First All India Symposium on Vastu, bangalore, held on June 3-4, 1995)

Vastu Sastra an important limb of Jyotisa or astrology is an ancient science and study of architecture and engineering.

The present volume is an outcome of a symposium on Vastu. One of the goals of the symposium was to revive the lost glory of Vastu and show its relevance to modern times. The book covers different aspects of construction from planning to execution. It underline the role of Jyotisa astrology in Vastu principles.

The book will stimulate greater interest in ancient Vastu principles amongst modern architects and enginers and present them a new perspective which will raise their creativity to new untouched heights.

The book has been divided into three broad sections covering different aspects of Vastu Silpa-I. Vastu and its Relevance to Modern Times; II. Vastu and Jyotisa; and III. Vastu and Temple Architecture comprising thirty-three articles in all. Their contributors represent a range of viewpoints on Vastu principles. All write with intelligence and insight keeping in view its relevance with modern times needs of architecture and engineering.

Foundations of Oriental Art and Symbolism: Introduction to Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist Art

It is an edited collection of the author’s most important articles on oriental art and symbolism, with illustrations from the traditional oriental civilizations. These illustrations provide an insightful descriptions and explanations, with a small taste of the beauty that permeated the traditional Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist worlds – a beauty that has in large part been overwhelmed and swallowed by our modern era.

Part I, ‘Oriental Art‘, begins with Burckhardt’s introduction to traditional oriental art. In the following three chapters the author explores the artistic foundations of each of the three great oriental religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, focusing particularly on the Hindu temple, the Buddha image, and Chinese landscape painting.

Part II provides insights that enable us to compare the underlying spiritual values that are the foundation for traditional cultures, with the quantitative analyses that are the starting point for today’s technological societies. In the following five chapters Burckhardt then explores examples of selected recurring symbols in the oriental worlds, such as the mirror, the sacred mask, and the serpent and dragon.