The book deals with the art of stucco images in the Nayaka temples of Tamil Nadu, from Chennai in the north to Madurai in the south. A number of temples were selected on random sampling basis for the present work.
The book is in six chapters, covering the following aspects: introduction of the images and temples, list of the temples selected, iconography in Siva temples, iconography in Visnu temples, iconography of Devi, et.alii, assessment of images and at the end conclusion.
Prof. Raju Kalidos in his foreword has point out the significance of the work in Indian art history. He has added an annexure also on the Ikkeri Nayaka temple at Bhatkal and two more annexures have added by his son Dr R.K.K. Rajarajan dealing with the method of Nayaka art and Navagrahas.
The book is purely based on field research & illustrated with beautiful photos and line drawings. Several scholars may write on Nayaka art, but the present work is unique in its own way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR J. Soundararajan
Dr. J. Soundararajan (b. 1967) is currently working as a lecturer in the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, Chennai. He did his master's degree, M.Phil and Ph.D. in the University of Tamil Nadu. His doctoral thesis was highly commended by the Board of examiners. He was previously working (19999-2004) as Assistant Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India of Dharwad Circle, posted at Aihole. The author is a member of many of the professional historical societies: The Indian Art History Congress, Tamilnadu History Congress and Epigraphical Society of India. He has in his credit a book Nataraja in South Indian Art (2004) and 21 number of research articles in scholarly international, national journals and the New Indian Express. His contribution to journals in "East and West" volume – 53 (2003), Rome-Italy, also adds feather to his cap. He had also prepared a guide book on the Chalukyan Center of Art while working at Aihole.
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