Customer Reviews

Eternal Ganesha

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Ganesha, revered elephant God of Hindus, is a universally familiar icon around the world. Gita Mehta's book is a succinct pictorial compilation of the significance, mythology and modern evolution of Ganesha. We learn the gamut -from conceptualization, abstract reduction to iconography and commercialization. Vivid color photographs, majority from Mumbai and Maharashtra, depict wood, ivory and stone idols, and forms derived from plantains, paintings and stained glass.

To the Hindu eye these illustrations are beautiful and evocative. Literalists will nod in agreement as they read time-honored stories about how Ganesh derived his elephant head and his snake belt. Symbolists also will find sufficient material -from the curvature of the trunk representing OM (the Pranava Mantra) to the multimorphic body symbolizing unity in diversity. Mehta quotes Cicero, Amartya Sen and the Manchester Guardian to enhance her interpretations. I find them interesting and thought provoking. She does not provide source citations. She decries the recent trends towards garish commercialization and ridiculous mechanization of the idol, - an anathema to "A Perfect Ganesh," in the hearts and minds of many.

This is a 129 page coffee-table sized, profusely illustrated, lovable volume about Ganesha, a universal Hindu god. The prose is highly readable and not at all ponderous. I find it mythologically balanced and symbolically intriguing. Hindu readers, and perhaps others also, will find this volume uncontroversial and endearing; this will be an excellent nugget source for educating the young. I believe that John Joseph Campbell would have found the pictures, text and interpretations appealing. Both Hindu and non-Hindu readers would have benefited from a bibliography and index, currently missing in this volume,

This book makes me feel lle Im right there at the Ganesh Festivals in India. From the making of the enormous statues they carry down the roads and release into the Ganges, to the candid faces of the people, the dancing, the lights...Its really a beautiful book that bring pleasure to me and my family. I truly hope someday I get to see this in person in India! Its a lovely conversational coffee table sized book. There is also much reading inside. Truly amazing and what great price! Thanks Amazon!

***Reviewed by Chizzle's wife:

Shishya Gauri-Pahari Sitaya Das

Gorgeous, this book provides a breathtaking glimpse of a beloved deity who transends the linguistic, economic and political differences of the Hindu people. Not only it is worthy of any art book collection on the coffee table, it is filled with delightful stories and can serve as a wonderful resource for students of world religions.