Aryan Books

Cosmology and Cosmic Manifestations: SHAIVA THOUGHT AND ART OF KASHMIR

By :- Bansi Lal Malla

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1920

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Pages: xxiv+142

Format: HB

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-516-4

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 22cm x 28cm

Product Year: 2015

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Indian thought-currents are deeply rooted in the theory and concept of rtam as the framework in which the process of creation, sustenance and dissolution operates. It views man and nature in a holistic perspective. Space, time, primal elements are the essentials as are the primary faculties of sense perceptions. The scholars have been investigating many dimensions of these fundamental concepts. The author in the present book has entered into an intensive holistic dialogue between and amongst disciplines ranging from art history, archaeology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy to astro-physics and micro-biology. But, the main premise of the volume is based on the Shaiva thought and art of Kashmir. Kashmir, with its hoary past and bewitching beauty, philosophical intellectualism, mystic spiritualism and artistic traditions is a paradise on earth. It has been crucible for refining human thought, be it the Vaishnava cult, Shakti cult, Shaivism, Buddhism or Sufism. Kashmir has recognized the existence of various paths to reach the absolute truth. The present volume gives a detailed account of the interconnectedness of nature, culture and cosmology; and cosmological interpretation of Kashmir Shaivism and its synthesis with the science. It also studies Kashmir Shaivism in its historical perspective, its metaphysics and iconography; and interrelatedness of the Shiva-Shakta cults. The primary sources of images and icons portraying Shaiva themes have been used. The literary materials have been profusely utilised to reconstruct the history of the Shaiva religion with a view to reinterpret the iconography. The volume is a welcome addition to the rather sporadically treated subject with a considerable material for thought and comparison. With this work, not only the historians of art but anthropologists of religion and scientists of environment, space and cosmological studies would be in a position to follow the fascinating thought trails in Art and Nature.

Preface vii List of Illustrations xvii 1. Nature, Culture and Cosmology 1 Nature as Culture 1 Concept of the Axis Mundi 5 Cosmology and Cultures 9 2. Kashmir Shaivism: A Historical Perspective 14 Development of Shaiva Thought-Process 15 Origin, Antiquity and Royal Patronage 18 3. Shakta Tradition 32 Manifestation(s) of Shakti in Kashmir 33 Continuity of Tradition 40 4. Metaphysics in Shaiva Tradition 49 Manifested World 49 Manifestation in Art 51 Shaiva and Shakta Cults: An Interrelatedness 55 Aesthetics in Art: The Ordering Principles 56 5. Shaiva Art and Iconography 61 The Symbolic and Anthropomorphic Forms of Shiva 61 The Minor Deities 93 The Composite Forms 98 6. Science, Spirituality and Shaivism 112 Conclusion 123 Bibliography 129

Dr. Bansi Lal Malla, an art historian, with specialisation in Indian art and cultural studies, is associated with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi. His areas of interest include both classical and vernacular traditions. He has been associated with the IGNCA-UNESCO-UNDP project on ?Village India?. Dr. Malla is the author of a number of books, including The Sculptures of Kashmir, Vaisnava Art and Iconography of Kashmir, Trees in Indian Art Mythology and Folklore, Conservation of Rock Art (ed.), Global Rock Art (ed.), The World of Rock Art: An Overview of the Five Continents (ed.), Rock Art Studies (Vol. I): Concept, Methodology, Context, Documentation and Conservation (ed.), Rock Art Studies (Vol. II): Interpretation through Multi-disciplinary Approaches (ed.), Rock Art of Andhra Pradesh: A New Synthesis by N. Chandramouli (General Ed.) and of a number of research articles published in professional journals. Dr. Malla has participated in a number of national and international conferences/ workshops and has widely travelled in India, France, Italy and Iran in connection with his field studies and conferences. Currently, Dr. Malla is engaged in documentation, ecological conservation and ethno-archaeological study of Indian rock art; and also in Himalayan studies.

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