The present book on Jaina Art and Aesthetics is the outcome of long study and research on Jaina art in its totality. The book delves deep into the contributions and landmarks of Jaina art in its multiplicity and in reference to its being the part of the whole of the gamut of Indian art and culture. The rare feature of Jaina art is its consistency in sustaining the manifestation of non-violence, renunciation, austerity and non-acquisition all through from 3rd century BC down to the present day in the figural depiction of the vitaragi Jinas (or Tirthankaras) and Bahubali. The Jaina tradition and thereby the art did never compromise with the above basic tenets, the embodiment of which are to be seen in the figures of the 24 Jinas and Bahubali.
The study also reveals that Jaina Art has never been monotonous. The texts speak of the dhyana-murtis of Jinas being beautiful and in their prime youth (taruna, rupavan, manohara and surupa). In sculptural and architectural context, as well as in paintings, the aesthetic content and appeal are expressed brilliantly in all forms of Jaina art. The intimate relationship between man and nature is also distinct. The social and psychological reflections in different forms of Jaina art have also been brought out lucidly. The book discusses all these aspects for the first time and is a valuable contribution to Indian art in general and Jaina art in particular.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari
Dr. Maruti Nandan Pd. Tiwari (b. 1949) M.A., Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University and has headed the Department for three terms under the rotation system. His publications deal extensively with different aspects of Indian art and iconography, specially Jaina art and iconography. He has many books to his credit including: Jaina Pratimavijnan (Hindi), Elements of Jaina Iconography, Ambika in Jaina Art and Literature, Khajuraho Ka Jaina Puratattva (Hindi), Jaina Kala Tirtha: Deogarh (Hindi, joint), Madhya Kalina Bharatiya Murtikala (Hindi, joint), Madhya Kalina Bharatiya Pratimalakshana (Hindi, joint). His academic pursuits and publications have brought several honours and awards to him. He was invited by the President of India to Rashtrapati Bhavan twice. He was awarded Acharya Narendra Deva Puraskar by Hindi Samsthan (U.P.) and Indira Gandhi National Raja Bhasha Award (Delhi). He has been invited for lectures, including Keynote Address at SOAS (London) and at University of Cardiff, UK; Nehru Centre, London and Berlin University (Germany).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shanti Swaroop Sinha
Dr. Shanti Swaroop Sinha (b. 1967) M.A., Ph.D., is Asstt. Professor in the Department of History of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University. He undertook Post-Doctoral Research of ICHR as Research Fellow on Vaidik Puranic Deities in Jaina Tradition and Art and also worked as UGC Research Associate for Major Research Project on Gommateshvara Bahubali in Jaina Tradition, Art and Literature, under Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari. He has attended several seminars and presented papers, most of which are now published. His publications include a book in Hindi on the Anugraha images of Shiva. His another book in Hindi, Jaina Kala Tirtha: Deogarh is written in joint authorship with Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari.
There are no reviews yet.