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Hindu India: From Khajuraho to the Temple City of Madurai
There is nothing new under the sun... and then there are the temples of India. For many who have roamed the byways of the subcontinent, it is these myriad mind-expanding palaces of faith that fill the spirit and make the fare worthwhile. They are enough to give you religion. 3-D songs of praise to the fecund possibilities of both environment and human intention, they are as diverse as the landscapes of Asia and yet share a grace and delicacy of invention. Focusing on Jain as well as Hindu constructions, this exemplary volume takes us on a revelatory historical journey to trace both the traditions and developments in their design, from the wood and cave temples of the first few hundred years AD, through early experiments in stone to the three dominant architectural strands. Whether it be Nagara in the north, Vesara in the central highlands or the Dravda "walled city" complexes of the south, each style is fully presented and analysed in a series of detailed photographs, drawings, plans and excavations. Just as the temple sancta themselves become more sacred the further in you penetrate, so this book offers greater rewards the longer you spend in its company.
237 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Henri Stierlin
226 books9 followersHenri Stierlin, nacido en Alejandría en 1928. Entre 1964 y 1972, una colección de 16 volúmenes titulada Architecture Universelle fue editada bajo su dirección por las Éditions de l’Office du Livre. Ha publicado también Tanis-Trésor des Pharaons, París 1987, Les Pharaons bâtisseurs, París 1992 y L’Or des Pharaons, París 1993.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 8, 2020
I was interested in what was carved in stone, and my search led me to the masterpieces of India. They came after the magnificent monuments of Egypt and lifelike statues of Greece, during the crumbling mastodons of Mexico, yet before the fallen faces of Ankor. The pyramids endured thousands of years, as did the acropolis in Athens. In China wooden temples burned and only Buddhist caves remain. The roof of Notre Dame has since been engulfed in flames.
In India architecture was first carved from cliffs, then from a mountain, and later from blocks adorned with wondrous figures. They reach hundreds of feet into the sky, and without restoration or reinforcement persevere through the centuries. The masonry is not supported nor protected by wooden structures. Most of the monuments are dated relatively recently, from the beginning of the last millennium. Their beauty has hardly been matched.
On a most basic level Hindu temple architecture has two major forms, Dravidian (south) and Nagara (north). In the south are the temples of Mahabalipuram (600-900 CE), Kanchipuram (700 CE), Thanjuvur (1100-1200 CE), Halibidu and Belur (1100 CE). Elephanta (400-700 CE), and Ellora (600-1000 CE). Aihole-Pattadakal-Badami (500-900 CE) lie in the central area. In the north are Bhubaneshwar (1000 CE), Khajuraho (1000 CE) and Konark (1200 CE).
Henri Stierlin is not as well known in the US as in Europe. Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1928, he's as old as any working author I know of. He's also a photographer, and his books feature lavish images. This one was published in 1998, and is co-credited to his wife Anne for photography. He studied as an art historian in Switzerland, and became a journalist and editor for Rizzoli. He was awarded a knighthood from the French Legion of Honor in 2004.
The images in this book are excellent, but the text is a bit light. It is a good overview of Hindu architecture of India. I have other English language books focused on this subject. George Michell from Australia is a leading exponent, as an architect, author and historian, but not a photographer. This book is published by Taschen in an affordable large color edition. For a single or first book on the Hindu monuments of India I would recommend it.
In India architecture was first carved from cliffs, then from a mountain, and later from blocks adorned with wondrous figures. They reach hundreds of feet into the sky, and without restoration or reinforcement persevere through the centuries. The masonry is not supported nor protected by wooden structures. Most of the monuments are dated relatively recently, from the beginning of the last millennium. Their beauty has hardly been matched.
On a most basic level Hindu temple architecture has two major forms, Dravidian (south) and Nagara (north). In the south are the temples of Mahabalipuram (600-900 CE), Kanchipuram (700 CE), Thanjuvur (1100-1200 CE), Halibidu and Belur (1100 CE). Elephanta (400-700 CE), and Ellora (600-1000 CE). Aihole-Pattadakal-Badami (500-900 CE) lie in the central area. In the north are Bhubaneshwar (1000 CE), Khajuraho (1000 CE) and Konark (1200 CE).
Henri Stierlin is not as well known in the US as in Europe. Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1928, he's as old as any working author I know of. He's also a photographer, and his books feature lavish images. This one was published in 1998, and is co-credited to his wife Anne for photography. He studied as an art historian in Switzerland, and became a journalist and editor for Rizzoli. He was awarded a knighthood from the French Legion of Honor in 2004.
The images in this book are excellent, but the text is a bit light. It is a good overview of Hindu architecture of India. I have other English language books focused on this subject. George Michell from Australia is a leading exponent, as an architect, author and historian, but not a photographer. This book is published by Taschen in an affordable large color edition. For a single or first book on the Hindu monuments of India I would recommend it.
December 25, 2015
It is never an easy task to document the entire spectrum of Hindu architecture in India in a single volume of work and Henri Stierlin wisely avoids the attempt. Rather he has tried to explain the basic architectural vocabulary adopted for Hindu temple architecture and their religious significance in a simplified manner which is easily consumable without being aware of the Hindu Traditions. The book explains the two predominant styles of Hindu temple architecture namely the Dravidian Style originating in South India and the North Indian or Nagara style originating in Bhubaneswar.
Although the religious significance has been emphasised upon as the name of the book suggests, a little more study on the cultural significance and various cultural influences could have enriched the book. Surprisingly, there is no mention of Terracotta temples of Bishnupur which are unparalleled in their uniqueness and beauty. It is certainly an unfortunate exclusion.
Overall it is a nice book with beautiful colour plates and simple text.
Although the religious significance has been emphasised upon as the name of the book suggests, a little more study on the cultural significance and various cultural influences could have enriched the book. Surprisingly, there is no mention of Terracotta temples of Bishnupur which are unparalleled in their uniqueness and beauty. It is certainly an unfortunate exclusion.
Overall it is a nice book with beautiful colour plates and simple text.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews