Indian Art

This book is a worthy addition to Phaidon's excellent Art and Ideas series, which provides overviews of the major art traditions of the world. India is vast (the size of Europe); the birthplace of great religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism; and the home of sophisticated civilizations dating back more than 4,000 years. These factors combine to give India one of the longest and most complex art traditions of the world--and one of the hardest to make accessible to the general reader.

Vidya Dehejia, curator of Indian art at the Smithsonian Institution, is up to the task. She sets the scene with an invaluable chapter explaining ancient Indian theories of art and aesthetics, including the responsibilities of the viewer. Most important is the realization that "the consistent fabric of Indian life was never rent by the Western dichotomy between religious belief and worldly practice"--hence the easy coexistence in India of extreme religious asceticism and the overt eroticism that pervades temples like Khajuraho and Patan. The book proceeds in a grand sweep, from the ancient cities of the Indus valley, the development of Buddhist art (which by the 12th century had faded away in the land of its birth), the glorious paintings of Ajanta, the luxury of Mughal art and architecture, art of the British Raj, to today's artistic ferment. Clear and well-written, with nearly 300 well-chosen color illustrations, this is an extremely useful introduction to India's vast artistic wealth. --John Stevenson more

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Smarter Choice Indian Art by Vidya Dehejia. ISBN13: 9780714834962. ISBN10: 0714834963. Published by Hachette Book Group USA. Edition: 97 Used	Textbooks.com 2,825 reviews *smarter certified	$25 $15.00 Coupon 2 coupons available Code:No Code Required Detail: Free shipping on order $25 or more at Textbooks. Expires:Dec-31-2012 Restriction:Unknow Code:xicyx Detail: Use coupon code xicyx at checkout to enjoy Free Shipping on your order plus enter to win $500 at Textbooks. Expires:Dec-31-2009 Restriction:Unknow	See it
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Recent Reviews

4/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jul-16-2009; Impressive and educative; Vidya's survey is outstanding.Her exposition of the 'Rasa' theory in Hindu aesthetics should help non-Hindus to understand the alternative basis of art appreciation.She points out that according to this 'Rasa' theory the contemplation of...; read full review | report as inappropriate

4/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Oct-24-2008; review of Vidya Dehejia Indian Art (Purchased on 09/23/2008); Excellent high quality product, lots of good photographs, well written, concise overview of complicated subject; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Sep-16-2003; balanced and illuminating; While no expert in Indian art and architecture, I have been studying in this area off and on for about fifteen years. I have not encountered an introductory survey that was more balanced and illuminating. It is also well written and...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jan-27-2002; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED; This is a significant improvement over Roy Craven's colonialist take on Indian art. This book is much more sensitive to the culture of India and its rich amalgamation of Vedic thought, the religion and philosophy of Buddhism, what we...; read full review | report as inappropriate

Selected Reviews

4/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jul-16-2009; Impressive and educative; Vidya's survey is outstanding.Her exposition of the 'Rasa' theory in Hindu aesthetics should help non-Hindus to understand the alternative basis of art appreciation.She points out that according to this 'Rasa' theory the contemplation of...; read full review | report as inappropriate

1/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Oct-12-2000; Dehejia's book disappointing; I cannot agree with the previous reviewers. The illustrations may be wonderful, but the text is vague and uninformative. There are some puzzling omissions. Dehjejia wrote a book some years ago on Orissan architecture, but there is only...; read full review | report as inappropriate