Three descriptive essays and numerous fascinating photographs, taken
especially for this volume, allow the reader to experience a major monument
of Indian art: the sixth century temple cave on Elephanta Island, in Bombay
harbor, and its extraordinary stone sculptures. The authors and the
photographer capture the atmosphere of the cave and the spirit of the
sculptures, which portray the relentless energy and paradoxical power of
Shiva, greatest of all Hindu gods. The photographs are particularly
successful in revealing the dramatic alternation of light and dark that is
so much a part of the beauty of the cave's interior. Ms. Berkson's trained
and loving eye picks out the subtleties of the main sculptures and humorous
details that the visitor might miss even on the site.
In the text Wendy O'Flaherty interprets the myths of Shiva depicted in the
sculpture; Ms. berkson's essay supplies historical background and a
stylistic analysis; and George Michell examines the overall structure of
the cave to show that it is a mandala-like image of the heavenly mountain
residence of Shiva and even of the structure of the universe itself.
"The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be
congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta."
Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand
Vedic Research Institute,Vol.I, Dec.2002
Review(s)
"The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta."-Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research I
About the Author(s)
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