Customer Reviews

Art of the Imperial Cholas

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This book is adapted from a series of lectures given by the author at the Asia Society in 1987. The author attempts to give us an integrated view of Chola art, including descriptions of the major personalities involved. The book is arranged chronologically: Early, Middle and Late Chola periods.

The book is not meant to be a work of reference, but rather an introduction to Chola art. The author succeeds admirably in this task. What is interesting about the book is that it also gives the reader a sense of the world of the Cholas. Who commissioned the art? Why did they do so? What were they trying to say with the art? The descriptions of the Chola Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi stand out in this regard. The author also relates the art to the poetry of the times since much of the art is intimately connected to Saivite literature and poetry.

The book is printed on excellent quality glossy paper, and the photographs are of high quality.The photographs of the Chola bronzes are captivating: e.g. the Siva as Vrishabhavahana on page 67.

I recommend this book as an excellent introduction to Chola art.