Essays in National Idealism

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The book, ‘Essays in National Idealism’ in the words of the author himself, represents "an endeavour towards an explanation of true significance of the national movement in India." In fact, it marks a stage of development of Coomaraswamy’s own thought reflecting perhaps the quest for his own identity. In his view, the Indian National Movement had its base in an idealistic movement, for it represented a struggle for spiritual and mental freedom from the domination of an alien ideal. As early as 1909 Coomaraswamy strived for ideal type of national education to be imparted by purely Indian institutions wherein in addition to other subjects, the study of life should be a must. According to him no regeneration of Indian people would be meaningful unless there is similar expression in Indian art, as the causes for the degeneration of Indian art and factors preventing its revival are identical with those that prevent the recovery of India’s political efficiency. In fifteen Chapters of the book, Coomaraswamy discusses a number of subjects like nationalism, various aspects of national struggle, Indian nationality, aims and methods of Indian art, art and yoga, Western impact of Indian art, education in India, Swadeshi, Indian music and education, and a variety of other interesting subjects. It has to serve two-fold purpose: to inspire and guide the Indians towards their desired goal and to remove the wrong notions of Westerners. He aimed at building a free India with close ties with the rest of the world. The book is meaningful for it has a message even for India of today. Besides its theme has a historical value for the study of assessment of Indian struggle for freedom in pre-Gandhi-Nehru epoch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ananda K Coomaraswamy

Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, the greatest among the Indian art-historians, was born in Colombo on August 22, 1877. After graduating from the University of London he became the director of the Mineralogical Survey of Ceylon. Between 1906 and 1917, when he joined as the Curator of Indian Art in the Boston Museum he was busy lecturing on Indian art and formed societies for the study of Indian art. In 1938, he became the chairman of National Committee for India’s Freedom. His contributions on Indian philosophy, religion, art and iconography, painting and literature are of the greatest importance as were his contributions on music, science and Islamic art. He died on September 9, 1947.

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Bibliographic information

Title
Essays in National Idealism
Author
Edition
1st ed.
Publisher
Length
xvi+206p., Plates; 23cm.
Subjects